From Reuters: Japan is set to allow exports of missile interceptors it is developing jointly with the United States, Kyodo news agency said, relaxing its ban on arms exports.
Europe is considered a likely destination for the ship-based Standard Missile-3 Block IIA, Kyodo said on Sunday, citing unnamed sources close to Japan-U.S. relations.
The advanced missile defence system is key to U.S. plans to be able to defend all of NATO’s European territory from a perceived Iranian ballistic-missile threat.
Separately, the Yomiuri newspaper said on Monday an advisory panel to Prime Minister Naoto Kan will call for relaxation of Japan’s weapons export ban in a report next month. (photo: U.S. Navy)
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