Japanese media: Kaohsiung City Government has finalized a plan to relax weapon export regulations and intends to amend related restrictions within the month.

Xinhua News Agency, Tokyo, April 3 (Reporter Chen Ze'an, Li Ziyue) - According to a report by Kyodo News on the evening of April 3, the government of Sanae Takaichi is preparing to introduce a plan to relax Japan's weapon export rules, and the overall content has been clarified. The Takaichi government plans to amend the "Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment" and its operational guidelines within this month.

The report cites several informed sources saying that the plan mainly includes: lifting the restrictions on exporting five categories of defense equipment that are only for non-combat purposes, and in principle allowing the export of finished products including lethal weapons; establishing exceptions for "exporting to countries in conflict," leaving some room for exports; and the involvement of the Japanese Diet, previously seen as a "brake measure" on weapon exports, will only remain at the level of post-fact "notification."

The report states that the ruling coalition formed by the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party had previously suggested only amending the operational guidelines of the "Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment," but the Takaichi government plans to amend the principles themselves as well. To strengthen the coordination function of weapon exports, the Takaichi government also plans to establish a new coordination mechanism composed of personnel from relevant departments such as the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

According to the current operational guidelines of the "Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment," Japan's export of defense equipment to other countries is generally limited to five types primarily for logistical purposes, such as rescue and transportation. Since the end of last year, the Takaichi government has shown intentions to "loosen" weapon exports, and related trends have continued to provoke strong concerns and criticisms within Japan. Japanese public opinion believes that this move may undermine the pacifism based on the Japanese Constitution and exacerbate regional tensions.