TOKYO, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Nearly half of Japanese people oppose easing their country's export ban on lethal weapons, a Jiji Press survey showed Thursday.

In this photo provided by the Australian Department of Defense, a Japanese Type 12 surface-to-ship missile is launched by the Second Artillery Brigade of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force at Beecroft Weapons Range near Jervis Bay, Australia, on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, as part of Talisman Sabre, a biennial joint exercise involving 19 nations and 35,000 military personnel. (Photo: AP)

In the March survey, 48.2 percent of respondents rejected the Japanese ruling coalition's proposal to ease restrictions on arms exports and allow the export of lethal weapons.

Meanwhile, 27.0 percent of respondents said they are in favor of the idea, and 24.8 percent were undecided.

On Friday, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, submitted the proposal to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, as her government plans to revise the operational guidelines for the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, a move that has sparked widespread concern and criticism.