Japan has endorsed scrapping a ban on lethal weapons exports, a major change of its postwar pacifist policy as the country seeks to build up its arms industry and deepen cooperation with defense partners.

Japan on Tuesday unveiled its biggest overhaul of defence export rules in decades, scrapping restrictions on overseas arms sales and opening the way for exports of warships, missiles and other weapons.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reversed limits on arms exports as Japan faces rising threats from China and unpredictability from its main ally, the United States.

Japanse PM Sanae Takaichi approved changes to defence export rules that will create a larger market for companies in the arms business

While immediate damage appears limited, the bigger question now is whether this quake could be a precursor to something larger.

A major, 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the northeast coast of Japan on Monday, according to the United States Geological Survey. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported the quake had a magnitude of 7.

Japan is taking part in the annual Balikatan military drills led by the Philippines and the US starting Monday. This marks Japan's full and high-profile participation in the military exercises for the first time, rather than participating as observers or ...

A POWERFUL 7.7-magnitude quake has sparked fears that a huge megaquake could rock Japan as thousands are evacuated. The earthquake triggered a tsunami warning – with swells of up to 10ft