Japanese Defense Minister Yasuo Ichikawa said on Saturday his government intends to ease arms export restrictions, Kyodo News reported.

''In the past, we have made exceptions, but we would like [now] to create a framework based on new guidelines,'' Ichikawa said.

The government seeks to relax the ban to allow Japanese firms to participate arms development and production projects with other countries.

The move is designed to revitalize the domestic defense industry and cut defense spending.

The restrictions, introduced in 1967, ban arms sales to communist states, countries under UN embargos, and countries involved in international conflicts.