TOKYO \u2014 Japan on Wednesday began its first ever military trade fair, with a particular focus on maritime security at a time of rising regional tensions over territorial squabbles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The three-day fair, organized by a private British company with the backing of Japan’s defense and trade ministries, comes as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pushes to boost the role and capability of his well-equipped military.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amongst other things, that means re-thinking their rules of engagement to allow them to fight to defend an ally \u2014 something most administrations have said was impossible under Japan’s pacifist constitution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The government has also moved to lessen restrictions on the home-grown weapons industry, allowing it to sell more hardware abroad in an effort to boost the sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new rules could allow Tokyo to supply weaponry to nations that sit along important sea lanes to help them fight piracy \u2014 an important strategic consideration for resource-poor Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This is a great opportunity for us as a small company to promote our name and products,” said Susumu Kasai, an official with ShinMaywa Industries Ltd. which manufactures US2 Amphibious Planes for Japan’s Marine Self-Defense Force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reports have said US2 is likely to become the first export of Japanese-made military equipment under the new rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Currently the governments of Japan and India are negotiating the issue and if the governments agree, we will be able to export our products,” Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This is a maritime security fair and as maritime security is important for Japan, which is surrounded by seas, the government supports the event,” said defense ministry official Toru Hotchi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under Japan’s new arms export rules, weapon sales are still banned to conflict-plagued countries that could undermine international peace and security. Any sale must contribute to international peace and boost pacifist Japan’s security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abe is readying to submit new security bills to parliament that will underwrite last year’s cabinet decision on broadening the scope of so-called collective defense, which gives the military freer rein to protect Japan’s allies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Washington, which has long called for Japan to take on more of the burden of its own defense, has warmly welcomed the moves, Abe faces considerable domestic opposition from a public deeply wedded to the country’s pacifist constitution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also faces regular rebukes from China, which hints ominously at what it says is a deep-seated desire on Japan’s nationalist right to up-end the post-World War II settlement and return to the militarism of last century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abe and his supporters deny the charge.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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