The government will allow Japanese companies to take part in the manufacture of parts for F-35 fighter jet as an exception to the nation's ban exporting weapons, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Friday.
The green light is being given on the grounds that the United States, which is chiefly responsible for the development of the stealth jet, will "strictly" control shipments, according to Suga's released statement.
The move could raise concerns that such parts exports will go against Japan's policy of avoiding possible aggravation of international conflicts, in light of the possibility that Israel could buy F-35s with parts made by Japanese firms.