Japan's ruling bloc approves new weapons export policy

Japan's ruling coalition approved a new three-point principle governing the export of weapons submitted by the government on Tuesday.

According to Kyodo News agency, the Cabinet is expected to give final approval at the beginning of April. If adopted, it would become the first major overhaul in nearly 50 years of the country' s arms embargo policy.

The proposed new rules state that the transfer of weapons will not be designed for "economic benefits" and that a U.S.-style National Security Council (NSC) will strictly screen the exports.

But the rules are vague enough to allow latitude as to how it will be implemented. And with rapidly-formed NSC being the final entity to accept or reject each weapons-related export case, critics are concerned that the checks and balances are weighted in favor of Abe's administration.

Japan's planned change to its 1967 "three principles" on weapons export sparks concern of its neighboring countries and the international community who are in favor of Japan upholding its chronicled pacifist stance, with some observers stating that the new guidelines will directly contravene Japan's Constitution.

According to a survey by Kyodo News in late February, 66.8 percent of the interviewees opposed the new policy.