ID :
152678
Wed, 12/08/2010 - 08:55
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/152678
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Kan signals reluctance to review arms export ban policy
TOKYO, Dec. 7 (Kyodo) - Prime Minister Naoto Kan signaled his reluctance Tuesday to pursue a review of Japan's long-standing arms export ban policy, amid growing opposition to a possible lifting of the ban.
''Our posture is to firmly honor the basic philosophy of the three principles (relating to weapons exports),'' Kan told reporters, adding, ''We must avoid exporting weapons to conflict areas such that they would make the fighting even worse.''
He made the remarks at a time when his administration is being pressured by the opposition Social Democratic Party to give up the plan to lift the ban or risk losing its support in fiscal 2011 budget negotiations.
The government had been considering reviewing the ''three principles'' so it can join the international development and production of fighter jets and other arms, and possibly have this reflected in Japan's new defense policy guidelines set to be approved this month.
Government sources said the same day that the Cabinet may endorse the new guidelines, which will likely mention whether to conduct such a review as a ''future subject,'' as early as Dec. 14.
The three principles prohibiting arms deals with communist states, countries
subject to an embargo under U.N. resolutions, and those involved in
international conflicts were established in 1967 under the Cabinet of Prime
Minister Eisaku Sato. They were later tightened into a virtual ban on weapons'
exports, with exceptions such as the supply of weapons technology to the United
States.
But with the SDP strongly opposed to it, Kan has apparently decided to drop the
idea, government sources said. The government and his ruling Democratic Party
of Japan need the support of SDP to help it pass bills for the fiscal 2011
budget in parliament.
SDP chief Mizuho Fukushima, who had met Kan on Monday and urged the government
not to review the policy, reiterated her request to the government Tuesday
through a meeting with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Tetsuro Fukuyama.
==Kyodo
''Our posture is to firmly honor the basic philosophy of the three principles (relating to weapons exports),'' Kan told reporters, adding, ''We must avoid exporting weapons to conflict areas such that they would make the fighting even worse.''
He made the remarks at a time when his administration is being pressured by the opposition Social Democratic Party to give up the plan to lift the ban or risk losing its support in fiscal 2011 budget negotiations.
The government had been considering reviewing the ''three principles'' so it can join the international development and production of fighter jets and other arms, and possibly have this reflected in Japan's new defense policy guidelines set to be approved this month.
Government sources said the same day that the Cabinet may endorse the new guidelines, which will likely mention whether to conduct such a review as a ''future subject,'' as early as Dec. 14.
The three principles prohibiting arms deals with communist states, countries
subject to an embargo under U.N. resolutions, and those involved in
international conflicts were established in 1967 under the Cabinet of Prime
Minister Eisaku Sato. They were later tightened into a virtual ban on weapons'
exports, with exceptions such as the supply of weapons technology to the United
States.
But with the SDP strongly opposed to it, Kan has apparently decided to drop the
idea, government sources said. The government and his ruling Democratic Party
of Japan need the support of SDP to help it pass bills for the fiscal 2011
budget in parliament.
SDP chief Mizuho Fukushima, who had met Kan on Monday and urged the government
not to review the policy, reiterated her request to the government Tuesday
through a meeting with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Tetsuro Fukuyama.
==Kyodo
