Lower thirds:

00:02 Report by / David Sincock
00:29 Sanae Takaichi / Japanese Prime Minister
00Guo Jiakun, Chinese Foreign Ministry

Script:

Since the end of the Second World, Japan's security policy has been shaped by pacifism and restraint. The military - known as the Self-Defense Forces - has been low-key, playing only a limited non-aggressive role.

The lifting of the ban on weapons exports comes as Japan bolsters its defence capabilities - which it says is necessary to counter any threat from an expansionist China.

+++ Sanae Takaichi, Japanese Prime Minister (Japanese) +++
"It is becoming increasingly difficult for every country to protect its peace and security alone as regional threats grow.  The latest policy shift will help friendly nations enhance our defense capability and also prevent conflicts."

Not surprisingly, Japan's decision to scrap restrictions on weapons exports has brought an angry response from Beijing.

+++ Guo Jiakun, Chinese Foreign Ministry (Mandarin) +++
"China is seriously concerned about this matter. In the past, Japanese militarism engaged in rampant aggression and expansion, committing heinous crimes against China and its Asian neighbours. ///
Japan's recent series of dangerous moves in the military and security fields have exposed its self-proclaimed status as a peaceful nation and a country adhering to apolicy of self-defence. Many experts and scholars are concerned that Japan is restarting its war machine and exporting war abroad."

Japan's partners including Australia have largely welcomed the decision to lift export restrictions, although some controls remain and lethal weapons will not be supplied to countries at war.