A pacifist nation’s sweeping overhaul of weapons restrictions in a decade comes amid rising security tensions in the Indo-Pacific.

Japan has eased its arms export restrictions to allow it to send domestically made missiles and artillery to countries such as the United States, as the Cabinet approved a record increase in defense spending next year amid rising security risks in the Indo-Pacific region.

The most significant policy reform in nearly a decade was announced Friday and will allow Japan to supply Patriot air defense missiles to the United States.

The new measures still prevent Japan from supplying weapons to countries at war, but the move will help The USA supplies Ukraine with additional military assistance in his War against Russia.

“This is of great importance for further strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance. It will contribute not only to the security of Japan, but also to the peace and stability of the entire Indo-Pacific region,” said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi.

On Friday, the Cabinet also agreed to a record increase in defense spending of more than 16 percent in 2024 that will accelerate the deployment of long-range cruise missiles capable of hitting targets in the United States China And North Korea.

The 7.95 trillion yen ($56 billion) budget for the fiscal year starting in March is in line with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s goal of doubling defense spending to the NATO standard of 2 percent of gross domestic product by 2027 , and falls under the new security strategy that the government adopted a year ago.

Japan wants to drastically expand its defense capabilities because it was alarmed by China Expansion of military ambitions while Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has also fueled fears that China could intervene Take over Taiwana self-governing democracy claimed by Beijing.

North Korea Rocket launches and the likelihood of future nuclear tests have also prompted Tokyo to increase its defense spending.

Friday’s announcements marked a major shift for Japan, which has long banned the export of lethal defense weapons.

The Patriot missile defense system is one of a number of weapons that the West is supplying to Ukraine. Japan produces Patriot missiles under license from US companies Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.

Under previous rules, Japan was only allowed to export weapons components and was barred from supplying finished products.

The revised guidelines now allow Tokyo to export finished products to countries where patent holders are based. Any re-export to third countries requires the approval of Tokyo.

The ruling party has been considering changes to export controls for months because the rules could hamper shipments of next-generation fighter jets under development with Britain and Italy.

The Financial Times reported that Japan is also considering exporting 155mm artillery shells manufactured under license from BAE Systems to the United Kingdom.