Japan is 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’s government has scrapped restrictions on overseas arms sales in a major shift from pacifist policies introduced after World War II. It comes as the country seeks to counter regional security ...

The approval clears a final set of hurdles for Japan's postwar arms sales and facilitate its future sale of weapons such as a next-generation fighter jet and combat drones.

TOKYO — Japan on Tuesday scrapped a ban on lethal weapons exports, a major change in its postwar pacifist policy as the country seeks to build up its arms industry amid worries over Chinese and North ...

The move, which opponents say will raise global tensions, comes as the U.S. ally accelerates its military buildup in the face of growing security challenges in the region.