http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25530939-2703,00.html
Japan poised to ease its ban again on export of weapons Peter Alford | May 25, 2009 Article from: The Australian THE Japanese Government is about to ease its universal embargo on weapons exports in a move that may foreshadow Japan joining the US-controlled F-35 joint strike fighter project. The decision is another whittling-away of Japan's long-standing policy of standing apart from foreign military engagements and co-operation. It would allow Japanese companies to join international weapons development programs, such as the F-35 program, by removing the ban on exporting components to other participants Tokyo has already lifted one corner of the 33-year-old embargo to participate in the US's Pacific ballistic missile defence program - Japan is developing an advanced nose-cone for the SM-3 high-altitude interceptor missile. The easing of the embargo closely follows last week's confirmation that US Defence Secretary Robert Gates had dashed Tokyo's lingering hopes of buying the F-22 Raptor, the world's most advanced fighter aircraft. Mr Gates had told Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada in Washington earlier this month Japan should instead seriously consider the F-35. Ten countries are engaged at various levels in Lockheed Martin's F-35 project and the Rudd Government's new defence white paper has committed Australia to acquiring about 100 aircraft from 2012. Japanese defence planners have persisted in their dogged quest to persuade the Pentagon to sell the F-22, despite its huge cost and the long-standing congressional ban on exporting the aircraft. However, in April Mr Gates recommended ending USAF F-22 program at the 187 aircraft under order. Including development costs, the F-22 is estimated to cost $US339 million ($435 million) each. The average cost of the F-35 is estimated at $US133 million, although Lockheed Martin claims more international orders and new manufacturing methods could bring that below $US100 million. The Japanese are looking at four other aircraft types for a next-generation fighter to replace their aged F-4 fleet, but only the F-22 and F-35 are "stealthy". Japan's arms embargo was declared by prime minister Eisaku Sato in 1967 against communist governments and those engaged in hostilities and it was toughened in 1976 to cover all countries. However, it is not locked into legislation and can be changed by a cabinet decision
