Japan ruling parties eye talks on allowing anti-air missile exports

Japan’s ruling parties are planning to start talks on lifting an export ban on weapons for defense purposes, including surface-to-air missiles, for certain nations with close security ties, sources familiar with the matter said Monday.

If realized, the move could represent a significant shift for Japan, which has long maintained strict conditions on arms exports under its war-renouncing Constitution out of concerns that engaging in such trade could involve the country in international conflicts.

A group of lawmakers from the Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito wil...