Japan to allow U.S. to export new missile

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The government has decided to allow the U.S. to export to third countries a jointly developed ballistic missile interceptor, in a politically sensitive move that represents a further easing of Japan's ban on arms exports, sources said Tuesday.

The two countries will discuss each export of the new Block 2A type of the sea-based Standard Missile-3 interceptor to stay in line with Japan's export controls, such as excluding countries under U.N. arms sanctions.

But it is uncertain whether Japan in reality can turn down requests by its closest ally.

The decision will be conveyed when the two allies' defense chiefs meet early next month, and will be confirmed at the two-plus-two security talks involving their defense and foreign ministers later in June, the sources said.