Japan’s ruling bloc starts debate on new weapons export rules

 Japan’s ruling parties started debate Wednesday on government-drafted new principles on arms exports as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe tries to fully update Tokyo’s long-held restrictive policy.Lawmakers from Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party and the New Komeito party are seeking to narrow their differences over how much the current rules should be eased, as the government hopes to have the new guidelines approved by the Cabinet by the end of March, Kyodo news agency reported.The focus is on the New Komeito’s response, as it has expressed concern that arms exports will be expanded without clear limits. Support from the pacifist junior coalition partner is essential as a potential rift would be detrimental to Abe and his LDP in reworking the country’s security policy in the coming months.