Japan Changes Arms Export Rules to Sell Patriot Missiles to US

Move Could Indirectly Aid Ukraine, Marking a Shift from Japan's Pacifist Policies

Japan has changed its arms export rules to allow the sale of Patriot air defence missiles to the US, marking a significant shift away from its pacifist policies.
The move could indirectly aid Ukraine, as it could free up the US to send its own stockpile of Patriot missiles to Ukraine, which is currently defending against Russia's invasion.
Japan's Patriot missiles are manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries under licence from US defence contractors Lockheed Martin and RTX.
The change in rules comes as Japan grapples with its long-standing pacifist stance and increasing security tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
Japan's National Security Council will decide what equipment to provide to which country on a case-by-case basis.