Japan is to permit its companies to export lethal weaponry for the first time, in a landmark break with its pacifist stance, according to FT

Japan's decision to allow companies to export lethal weaponry marks a significant shift in its long-standing pacifist policy.

Newsquawk StaffPublished 21 Apr 2026, 04:21 UTCOn the live feed at 04:01 UTC — 1 more headline followed before this page went public

Newsquawk headlinesUTC

05:17

China removes financial regulator deputy head from position, according to Xinhua

04:07

China Vanke (2202 HK) proposes to defer 60% of bond payment due May 12th by one year and proposes to pay 40% of the onshore bond on that date

04:01

Japan is to permit its companies to export lethal weaponry for the first time, in a landmark break with its pacifist stance, according to FT

03:53

Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the seizure of Iranian cargo ship Touska by US forces and called for the “immediate release of the Iranian vessel, its sailors, crew and their families”, according to CNN

03:45

[MARKET ANALYSIS] Asia-Pac stocks are mixed as participants look to potential US-Iran talks in Islamabad

Open the platform and use it. The whole workspace is free to try, with no signup and no card. When you want the headlines arriving live instead of on a delay, Newsquawk Pro is £24.99 for 7 days.

Try the platform free

Free. No signup, no card.

Context

This development may elevate regional tensions and could lead to increased defense spending, which typically benefits defense contractors and has broader implications for regional security dynamics. Investors might want to consider how this change impacts associated markets such as defense stocks, yen volatility, and neighboring countries' military postures.

All markets · last 90 days

Recent headlines that moved markets

EQUITIES/8 Sept · 05:24 UTC

Saudi Energy Minister says a number of energy facilities and utilities were hit; are temporarily halting some operations.

Equity indices, after we published−0.3%

Modest downside seen across equity futures as energy prices tick higher.

ENERGY/8 Sept · 05:23 UTC

Saudi Energy Minister says a number of energy facilities and utilities were hit; are temporarily halting some operations.

Brent Nov'26, after we published+1.0%

ENERGY/3 Sept · 08:03 UTC

Russian President Putin says that Russia and Ukraine should agree first; he notes that there is an opportunity to reach a peace agreement.

with Brent Nov, after we published−1.3%

EQUITIES/3 Sept · 04:54 UTC

North Korea stripped references to "peaceful unification" with South Korea from the charter of its ruling Workers' Party of Korea, according to Yonhap.

Equity indices, after we published−3.3%

EQUITIES/1 Sept · 16:17 UTC

Initial reports of an American attack on Iran, reports i24's Stein.

ES, after we published−0.2%

ENERGY/1 Sept · 16:17 UTC

Initial reports of an American attack on Iran, reports i24's Stein.

- Brent (V6), after we published+1.2%

Newsquawk Daily

Get both market opens in your inbox.

This note and the other one — the EU open and the US open, every business day, written by the desk. No account needed.

Related headlines

The whole workspace, free to try.

© 2026 Newsquawk. All rights reserved.