Japan on Tuesday ended six-decades of self-imposed restrictions on selling and sharing military technology, opening up possibilities for India, its long-standing partner, on aero-engines and marine engines.Japan also holds cutting-edge technology on specialised sea-planes, conventional submarines and has quality ship-building techniques.India and Japan, had in January this year, discussed several defence equipment projects, however, progress hinged upon Tokyo’s easing of the export regulatory controls imposed since 1967. Today this changed. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi posted on X about the changes made to the rules in her country. “We amended the ‘three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology’ and their ‘guidelines’ for implementation,” she said.Until now, the transfer of Japan-produced military products was limited to search and rescue, transportation, surveillance and mine countermeasures. “With this amendment, transfers of all defence equipment will in principle become possible,” the Japanese PM said.Tokyo is looking to strategically promote equipment transfers while making even more rigorous and cautious judgments.She explained the need for these changes, saying, “No single country can now protect its own peace and security, partner countries supporting each other in terms of defence equipment are necessary.”Several partner nations had expressed expectations for the defence equipment that Japan had developed, she said.