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<p>The Japanese government's new guidelines on arms exports have shifted the country's
policy on arms exports from a de facto ban with occasional exceptions, to a set of
principles governing the transfer overseas of defence equipment. This move is in line
with Japan's National Security Strategy, published last year, and reflects the commitment
of the Japanese government to play a more active role in international peace and security,
a commitment which the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my
right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) welcomed when he visited
Tokyo in October 2013.</p><p>The new principles which the Japanese government have
published make clear that Japan will implement its new export control regime in line
with international treaty obligations, including the Arms Trade Treaty, and UN Security
Council resolutions. Applications will be subject to strict examination and transparency,
and controls will be applied concerning extra-purpose use and third-party transfer.</p><p>For
the UK, the new export control principles may give rise to further opportunities for
British defence companies to engage in co-development and joint production of defence
equipment with Japanese partners. This builds on the UK-Japan Defence Equipment Cooperation
Framework agreement signed by the Foreign Secretary with his Japanese counterpart
in July 2013.</p>
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