Photo/Illutration Lawmakers of the ruling coalition meet in April to discuss revising the three principles related to defense equipment exports. (Yuichi Nobira)

The government is moving to add land mine removal and education and training to its three principles related to defense equipment exports, and Ukraine could be the first country to benefit, sources said.

The ruling coalition is now discussing ways to revise the relevant policy documents.

Current operating rules limit such exports to five areas--minesweeping, transport, surveillance, monitoring and rescue equipment--and only to nations that are allies or with which Japan has a cooperative relationship in terms of national security.

Government officials believe if mine removal was added to the list, Japan could export rollers that could be attached to tanks to crush mines. A government source mentioned Ukraine as the likely first recipient of such equipment.

The other area under consideration, education and training, involves providing aircraft for training purposes to the militaries of Southeast Asian nations.

While lawmakers of junior coalition partner Komeito traditionally are hesitant about any major expansion of defense equipment exports, sources said there was no open opposition to the new areas during a meeting to discuss details.

Further discussions are planned among lawmakers of the ruling coalition dealing with the revision of the three principles. Final approval is expected from the National Security Council.

(This article was written by Nobuhiko Tajima and Kazuki Uechi.)

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