CHINA expressed concern today after Japan scrapped a ban on lethal weapons exports.

The Japan is a major change in Japan’s post-war pacifist policy and ramps up tensions with its Chinese and North Korean neighbours.

The approval by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet of the new guideline scraps rules that limit Japan’s defence equipment exports to five non-combat categories — rescue, transport, warning, surveillance and minesweeping.

Instead, defence equipment will be divided into “weapons” and “non-weapons” categories, based on whether they have lethal or destructive capabilities, Kyodo News reported.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said today that Beijing was seriously concerned by the changes.

Mr Guo told a press briefing that: “The international community, including China, will remain highly vigilant over Japan’s recent dangerous moves in the military and security fields.”

Kyodo News said the changes mark a significant shift in defence policy for a country that has touted itself as a “peace-loving nation” under its war-renouncing constitution since its defeat in World War II.

While the revisions in principle prohibit the export of arms to countries engaged in active conflicts, they do allow for exceptions “in special circumstances” that take into consideration Japan’s security needs.