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News & Current Events Apr 21, 2026 at 5:01 AM

Japan lifts ban on lethal weapons exports in major shift of pacifist policy

Posted by jiisow

Japan lifts ban on lethal weapons exports in major shift of pacifist policy
Al Jazeera
Japan lifts ban on lethal weapons exports in major shift of pacifist policy
Japan could soon sell weapons overseas, including fighter jets, in a shift from its decades-old pacifist policy.
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[deleted] Apr 21, 2026 +1175
[deleted]
1175
[deleted] Apr 21, 2026 +265
[deleted]
265
Zapapala Apr 21, 2026 +90
So an early droideka prototype? 
90
no_terran Apr 21, 2026 +45
Rolls as on tracks or wheels unfortunately.
45
Hikiko_Mori Apr 21, 2026 +24
No love for Gundams? I mean it is usually the one that comes to mind when it comes to Japanese mech wars lol.
24
LordSoren Apr 21, 2026 +16
As long as they don't start rolling out Evangelions, I support our new mechanized overlords.
16
brandnewbanana Apr 21, 2026 +6
No one has found a massive god alien for the DNA to make Evas. I think we’re safe for now.
6
armabe Apr 21, 2026 +7
>No one has found a massive god alien for the DNA That we know of...
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d3n4l2 Apr 21, 2026 +6
We'll have to settle for Armored Core
6
ultimatt42 Apr 21, 2026 +3
Scientology has one but they won't share
3
DoctorJJWho Apr 21, 2026 +4
We’re already like 30% of the way to early Knightmare Frames from Code Geass with just normal tanks lol
4
VallenValiant Apr 21, 2026 +6
> No love for Gundams? I mean it is usually the one that comes to mind when it comes to Japanese mech wars lol. The only way this can happen is if we start with power suits. And then power suits get bigger and bigger to counter each other. Basically the issue right now is that there is no real target for a giant robot. But if you have smaller robots or powersuits running around, you have the argument that you want slightly larger anti-humanoid suits that can take them on. And then just use tit for tat before we get decent sized humanoid mecha.
6
OrSpeeder Apr 21, 2026 +3
A realistic-ish manga/anime about giant mecha is "Heavy Object", and in that one the whole point is although the giant mecha have crazy armour and is impervious to bombing and missiles, the protagonist was proving that boots on the ground was still important (1. If you destroy the mecha repair base they are screwed, and THAT part is perfectly vulnerable to conventional armies. 2. The protagonist wanted to be a engineer, but since he is on the frontlines he instead use his engineering skills to figure out the engineering flaws of enemies and how to destroy them without fancy weapons, for example by sneaking up to the enemy and putting C4 in critical parts).
3
SKULL1138 Apr 21, 2026 +8
They are no match for Droideka’s!
8
TearsDontFall Apr 21, 2026 +3
It's a stalemate, let's go!
3
Mindless_Ad5714 Apr 21, 2026 +2
They look like the halo warthog, but smaller
2
Charliefoxkit Apr 21, 2026 +1
More like Mobile Doll prototypes.
1
loversama Apr 21, 2026 +4
While it’s great Japan is/was a pacifist country, it would be an injustice to not see a robot entry from them after all the media they’ve produced in the last 50 years 😅
4
v1kingfan Apr 21, 2026 +1
So, pops with guns?
1
zoppaTheDim Apr 21, 2026 +3
The cynical argument for why we should support Ukraine is that the new tech is being developed there. Instead we have an actual war fought by people who don’t grasp they’re fighting the last war, not the next one.
3
Azuregore Apr 21, 2026 +1
Just watch out for a guy named Ted Faro....
1
Solokiller Apr 21, 2026 +1
IT'S A GUNDAM!
1
RUBBLE_INC Apr 21, 2026
Somebody get me a light saber !!! STAT!!!
0
CupEcstatic2721 Apr 21, 2026 +258
It turned out quite interesting for them, first the Japanese company Mitsubishi prepared a contract with Australia and then they lifted this ban. It is probably futile for Ukraine to hope to use that loophole regarding the lifting of the ban on arms sales to a warring party in the event of a threat to Japan's national security.
258
Aban_Adeel Apr 21, 2026 +66
Got Mitsubishi weaponry back before the Evo wtf
66
SeparateFun1288 Apr 21, 2026 +23
Mitsubishi has been one of the largest arms producers in Japan since the 1800s. They stopped for almost a decade after WWII, but by 1954 they were already building warships again. They are the **23rd largest** company in the world by defense revenues (when considering both Heavy Industries and Electric companies together, which are technically independent) and the **5th largest company** (as a conglomerate) in the world that participates in the defense sector. This put Mitsubishi at the same level of Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Airbus. Of course, Lockheed Martin fully focuses on defense stuff, so is not comparable, while both Boeing and Airbus are aerospace manufacturers. In comparison, Mitsubishi makes everything; missiles, air conditioners, semiconductors, radars, destroyers, satellites, nuclear reactors and space rockets.
23
Jebrowsejuste Apr 21, 2026 +5
23th
5
ModPolSucks Apr 21, 2026 +3
>23th
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Canadian_Neckbeard Apr 22, 2026 +3
24rd
3
VentilatorRaptor Apr 22, 2026 +1
You made me recall the joke about general electric "we like to make thing that spin"
1
toad_historian Apr 21, 2026 +3
Move over Remington, Mitsubishi is coming.
3
CupEcstatic2721 Apr 21, 2026 +2
I guess demand creates supply, and it seems the demand for cars has dropped a bit /s
2
DiabloAcosta Apr 21, 2026 +2
even more, demanda for evo, I don't know anyone who could afford one in this economy! Not even polycules with multiple incomes!
2
un-hot Apr 21, 2026 +43
Maybe there's an argument to be made regarding the Kuril islands dispute, it really depends if Japan actually wants anymore involvement in a war their neighbour is prosecuting.
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de4cha Apr 21, 2026 -58
If Japan even speak right now about Kuril it be it's last days of its existence, Russian society in past had zero compromise about those islands, nowadays people are more militaristic due to war
-58
Skwalou Apr 21, 2026 +27
They technically already reiterated just 3 years ago ([sauce](https://web.archive.org/web/20230315012301/https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230207/p2g/00m/0na/032000c)) and nothing happened. So I don't think Russia cares to start another war on the other side of their territory just because Japan said something they don't like since the already have control over the Kuril islands. Japan on the other hand can't start a war themselves without breaching or revising their constitution, both of which would not make many of their neighbors happy, most especially China.
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de4cha Apr 21, 2026 -21
They being saying something since 2000 , it's more seen as joke in Russia because it's mostly pr for some Japanese politicians, I was talking about something real
-21
Away-Log-7801 Apr 21, 2026 +5
*If they speak right now it will be the last days of its existence* *Theyve been speaking for the last 20 years* Pick one
5
Spare-Control-5233 Apr 21, 2026 +29
That's pretty funny. Russia can be as militaristic as it likes, they are no threat to a wealthier nation with allies several orders of magnitude more powerful than Russia in a conventional war. If you are saying Russia would use Nukes on Japan over the Kuril islands it would mean the end of Russia as we know it more than Japan. Russia lost it's status as a first rate military power in years of fruitless struggle with Ukraine, and will never recover it.
29
de4cha Apr 21, 2026 -38
This is what western media do to people brain...
-38
tourguide1337 Apr 21, 2026 +19
If its just "western media" then why hasnt Russia taken Ukraine yet?
19
Alfatic Apr 21, 2026 +13
Tell me why you're stuck in Ukraine for 5 years, buddy. You can't even handle one country that was a literal "who?" when you started the war, your soldiers are dying enmasse and your economy is in ruins, and you think you can attack Japan, one of the US' closest allies? LOL
13
de4cha Apr 21, 2026 -9
One country that fully rely on 25 countries for money (because economy is dead) and weapons... Like I said Western media is dangerous for brain capacity
-9
Alfatic Apr 21, 2026 +11
Have fun going to war when your dear leader announces mobilization after running out of country hicks to send to their deaths. I'm sure you'll be thinking of how glorious mother Russia is when you're on the frontlines and you see a Ukrainian drone heading straight for your face.
11
Spare-Control-5233 Apr 21, 2026 +1
I think in fairness we both were kind of repeating the party line.
1
Maureen_Johma Apr 22, 2026 +3
Mitsubishi! They built the planes that bombed Pearl Harbor!
3
greatthebob38 Apr 21, 2026 +123
Howa Type 20s about to enter the civilian market.
123
MedicBuddy Apr 21, 2026 +11
As a gun enthusiast, I would like to see that but how willing are they going to sell for the actual civilian market and not just LE/MIL? Even the US has annoying things like import restriction laws that limit features or require a percentage of US made parts for civilian sales.
11
Frozen_Thorn Apr 21, 2026 +6
The import ban is such protectionism bullshit.
6
TheStig500 Apr 21, 2026 +1
Type 64 parts kits would be cool ngl
1
[deleted] Apr 21, 2026 +464
[removed]
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leisurechef Apr 21, 2026 +155
Global depression incoming…
155
-ImJustSaiyan- Apr 21, 2026 +94
Joke's on the globe, I'm already in depression.
94
leisurechef Apr 21, 2026 +24
I hear you, it’s a daily struggle
24
Lasagna_Lizard Apr 21, 2026 +12
Is it depression, or is it a rational response to our decaying, murdered world?
12
Black_Moons Apr 21, 2026 +6
Rational response I say. who would wanna raise kids in this world with the ability to project how its gonna be in 50 years? And if your not reproducing, willingly... a billion years of biological hardwiring is screaming into the void, then going silent...
6
UnexpectedAnomaly Apr 21, 2026 +1
Yeah I would wait until World war 3 is over then raise kids.
1
Conan-Da-Barbarian Apr 21, 2026 +1
Global RoBo depression
1
lnTheGrimDarkness Apr 21, 2026 +64
The world's just reacting to the recent revelation that just waking up one morning and invading a country is possible regardless of any UN, NATO, or international law which are absolutely useless in these scenarios like everybody knew for the last 80 years. The UN and NATO's actual objective for which they were created was just pinning the Soviet Union down. And International Law is basically only followed when it makes it easier to bully smaller countries. For the rest, like we all saw, anyone with enough influence will be perfectly able to just ignore it with no consequences. In all honesty countries all over the world rearming is a physiological consequence to the display the US, Russia and Israel and providing.
64
Sylvan_Strix_Sequel Apr 21, 2026 +41
I mean peter thiel's palantir points straight up said we are done with soft power, we should just take what we want, and thiel is one of Trump's direct puppetmasters. 
41
lnTheGrimDarkness Apr 21, 2026 +7
That's kinda clear even just by the overall demeanor of the nations involved. Anyhow it was just a matter of time before the US decided to elect a scapegoat and just go back to the old ways. I can assure you Trump is barely involved in all this, which is why he always looks like his geopolitical knowledge is "I barely read newspapers"-level. He's probably just enjoying whatever he has left as a very rich pig rolling into the trough, he couldn't care less what image everyone has of him. You'll see how nothing changes when he's removed or replaced by another president. And in any case, the US has always just taken what they wanted, but they've always gone through the long, complex route of hiding behind UN Peacekeeping missions or manipulated dossiers. Now they're just doing it openly.
7
Haru1st Apr 21, 2026 +61
The elite is in an upward spiral, funny how these two trends tend to go in the opposite direction historically.
61
Clairdelune17 Apr 21, 2026 +83
Stop calling them elites and start addressing them as cold hearted scumbags they are.
83
Haravikk Apr 21, 2026 +49
I prefer the term "parasites" - they don't do anything of real benefit for humanity (despite what their paid propaganda might say) all they do is take and hoard wealth that could be used for other things.
49
Black_Moons Apr 21, 2026 +11
I prefer epstine class. The people who have no morals and would rather make life for everyone else hell on earth because they can feel no joy anymore as there is nothing left for them to strive for.
11
RotalumisEht Apr 21, 2026 +6
We could be addressing climate change, providing clean water and healthcare to everyone, building affordable housing and strong communities, and educating the masses. Instead we are investing in an AI bubble, wars, more fossil fuels, and stock manipulation.  Clearly the wealthy are not the ones to be trusted with resource allocation.
6
_Connor Apr 21, 2026
Why are private parties responsible for “climate change?” Shouldn’t this be something you talk to your government about?
0
RotalumisEht Apr 21, 2026 +4
There are private individuals who have more wealth than nations which is the problem I am bringing up.  There is no reason for a single individual to have that much wealth. Those resources would be better allocated if they were owned by nations which are held accountable by their citizens rather than individuals held accountable by nobody. 
4
_Connor Apr 21, 2026 -3
Are you suggesting that no nations ever have issues with how their governments are spending money? What makes you think simply giving them more money will change anything? FYI, Elon Musks net worth (on paper) is roughly 1% of the US GDP. So if we give all of Musk wealth to the US Government, they get a 1% bump for 1 year and then all that wealth is gone. Do you genuinely believe the actual difference maker here is the billionaires? Getting rid of all their wealth would give governments an incredibly modest budget bump for 1 year and then all that money is gone. Who would you turn to next as being the cause of your problems?
-3
Haravikk Apr 21, 2026 +2
Elon Musk isn't the only billionaire in the world, and the problem isn't just the wealth they have, it's the influence they buy with only a fraction of it, and how that makes them even more money. It doesn't take a lot of money to buy a politician, but the government contracts that that influence buys are worth enormous sums of money. And what you've failed to justify is why individuals should be allowed to have such obscene wealth while millions of others are barely scraping by while working multiple jobs, or being bankrupted by healthcare systems etc. etc. Wealth inequality is a symptom of a failing economy.
2
_Connor Apr 21, 2026 -2
You’re putting words and positions into my mouth that I never said or exhibited. You’re more than welcome to think people shouldn’t be able to have that much money. It’s also pretty clear that confiscating all their money to give to the government to “do better with” wouldn’t change anything as exemplified with the Elon Musk example. Those two things aren’t irreconcilable.
-2
HumansMustBeCrazy Apr 21, 2026 +6
Pacifism is delusional as long as so many humans retain aggressive animalistic tendencies.
6
Jozoz Apr 21, 2026 +27
Thank you random asshats in Pennsylvania et al. Now we all have to suffer. Just that fact alone means the world won't accept a single hegemon again. Your future can't be so reliant on what some propagandized gullible American guy decides to vote for.
27
TheNewGildedAge Apr 21, 2026 +9
Eh, maybe not a single hegemon built on such an unstable, outdated electoral system as the US is.
9
errorsniper Apr 21, 2026 +2
And its due to like a handful out of control nut jobs, vs 8 billion people. Its wild.
2
Slaaneshdog Apr 21, 2026 +2
It's just returning to the status quo after a 40 year pause It was inevitable given that the rise of China threatens the western world order and the US's position as the world superpower. It's a shifting of the world order, and that's gonna lead to chaos and turmoil
2
tagillaslover Apr 21, 2026 -38
This isn’t a bad thing. 
-38
Myythy Apr 21, 2026 +8
Bro really wants that type 89
8
[deleted] Apr 21, 2026 -17
[deleted]
-17
tagillaslover Apr 21, 2026 +18
No one is getting nuked from this. Japan not selling stuff doesn’t do anything for them 
18
PlanktonInitial7945 Apr 21, 2026 -19
It's not about selling weapons specifically, it's about the current administration giving more and more signs that they want Japan's pacifist era to be over.
-19
PoonAU Apr 21, 2026 +16
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Japan very EU and West Allied these days? Its not a bad thing if our allies are strong, It's not like this is WW2 Japan Militarizing to join the axis powers. I don't think its a matter of wanting their pacifist era to be over, but really having no choice but to be concerned with Chinese aggression and militarisation in the region.
16
Seeker-N7 Apr 21, 2026 +11
Exactly. China's army is only growing both in numbers and tech. It's necessary for western aligned nations in the area to adapt as well. You can't rely on the US to be your only army anymore, even if they would support you. Arms export is just another income and incentive for the industry to grow as necessary. It's not like they're going to sell tanks to Russia.
11
PlanktonInitial7945 Apr 21, 2026 -2
I didn't say it's a bad thing. And being concerned with Chinese aggression and militarisation in the region means that their pacifist era has to come to an end.
-2
TheNewGildedAge Apr 21, 2026 +1
Any country good at geopolitics should be reevaluating their reliance on a stable US.
1
ExESGO Apr 21, 2026 +93
Well good news for the Philippines. There were several items being eyed for quite some time IIRC (SHORADs and ships).
93
db2999 Apr 21, 2026 +40
Did Toyotas count as lethal weapons? Aren't most technicals for the past 30 years been Toyotas?
40
[deleted] Apr 21, 2026 +150
[deleted]
150
calantheSG Apr 21, 2026 -5
This 6th gen fighter is the same YF-23 or they've pursued a new project?
-5
Papanowel123 Apr 21, 2026 +35
The project is called [GCAP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Combat_Air_Programme) and include Italy, the UK and Japan. It's more than a plane but a whole system and has nothing to do with the YF-23.
35
Llew19 Apr 21, 2026 +6
GCAP, or in the UK it's Tempest. It's not as ambitious as YF23 was back in the 80s and probably not as ambitious as the F47, but it's the only 6th gen outside of China and the US that's making any progress
6
kqlx Apr 21, 2026 +18
Gundams have been dispatched
18
10_Eyes_8_Truths Apr 21, 2026 +9
Well i did expect this to eventually happen with Japan building Australian frigates. I did not think it would happen so soon
9
Iron_Eagl Apr 21, 2026 +5
With much of the world looking to cut ties with American weapons, it's the perfect time actually.
5
IMImegashill Apr 21, 2026 +32
If this means I can import Howa Type 64 parts kits, I will literally cream my pants right now
32
tagillaslover Apr 21, 2026 +8
I want a type 89 
8
CopainChevalier Apr 21, 2026 +1
I actually thought kits were already legal. TIL
1
TrainerNaGamer Apr 21, 2026 +5
Gundam is back in the market
5
WasThatInappropriate Apr 21, 2026 +12
Metal Gears?
12
TSgt_Yosh Apr 21, 2026 +4
From the headline, I picture racist Mel Gibson robots slurring at people before shooting them with machine precision.
4
Ash_Killem Apr 21, 2026 +27
Bad news: Japan and Germany allowed to arm as much as they want now. Good news: They are the good guys now?
27
william-isaac Apr 21, 2026 +27
uhhh.... germany has always been one of the largest arms exporters. this isn't something new.
27
MichaCazar Apr 21, 2026 -1
Well yes, but nobody wanted Germany themselves to be armed.
-1
william-isaac Apr 21, 2026 +1
if nobody wanted germany themselves to be armed how did they ended up as the second strongest nato army by the end of the cold war?
1
Redditforgoit Apr 21, 2026 +1
Still bastards. But our bastards.
1
[deleted] Apr 21, 2026 -2
[deleted]
-2
PandaPatrolLetsRoll Apr 21, 2026 +5
Xenophobia: 😡🤬👎 Xenophobia Japan: 🤩🌈😍😙
5
SeparateFun1288 Apr 21, 2026 +2
>Their current prime minister is **pretty far right** and most of their current political rhetoric is the same **anti-immigration** xenophobic stuff popping up alot of places. You defined Japan for the past 140 years Even after WWII, Japan was military more powerful than all of its neighbors combined, except for the USSR. But even the USSR was not really that much of a threat as most of the USSR's power was in the west. Besides, the article is about exports, Japan is already a military powerhouse, they are just going to sell lethal weapons to other countries, so is not exactly relevant to their war capabilities.
2
cryptamine Apr 21, 2026 -1
germany is brutally supressing support for palestine and criticism for israel.
-1
MutFox Apr 21, 2026 +3
The Naval Rail Cannon for sale?
3
macross1984 Apr 21, 2026 +7
Japan finally join the rest of the world to export their military hardwares to generate foreign currency income.
7
XDynamite100 Apr 21, 2026 +8
Its not japan anymore, its nippon...
8
SirMemesworthTheDank Apr 21, 2026 -1
🙌 BANZAI 🙌
-1
septianw Apr 21, 2026 +2
Japan is trying to be active.
2
likeawp Apr 21, 2026 +2
when can I get a catalog of Gundam Wings
2
EnsilZah Apr 21, 2026 +4
"The Imperial war machine has been unleashed. Do not struggle against what is inevitable. All who stand in the way of our divine destiny will be swept away by the march of history. You will bow before us or you will cease to exist."
4
Suzumebachi14 Apr 21, 2026 +3
About time.
3
warbastard Apr 21, 2026 +2
I, for one, welcome our new Gundam overlords.
2
kqlx Apr 21, 2026 +1
Im guessing this is to replace the Australian diesel powered fleet ships/subs
1
keker0t Apr 21, 2026 +1
So Japan 2 soon
1
mysteriousmaxiemus Apr 21, 2026 +1
So by when can we expect the Gundams?
1
Total_Language3629 Apr 21, 2026 +6
Just get in the f****** robot
6
Fearless_Ad_5470 Apr 21, 2026 +1
Considering the actual level of Japan's defense industry and the time required for expansion, the real impact of Japanese arms exports may not be apparent for several years. This is especially true given that some core components of Japanese military equipment are still supplied by the United States. 
1
Mynameisbebopp Apr 21, 2026 +1
To be honest, this was bound to happen if the world lets Russia keep going at it on Ukraine. Japan and Russia DO NOT GET ALONG, and they dispute lands all the time, if japan sees one of their "enemy" nations being given a free pass towards war in one side and for some reason they win, what makes them stop looking for other places to extend their reach. I'm actually surprised it took so long for the Tokyo Axis to comeback given the current state of affairs.
1
Goshawk5 Apr 21, 2026 +1
I'd like 1 Gundam please. I'd also settle for a VF-1 Valkyrie.
1
abstract_cake Apr 22, 2026 +1
Great, I always wanted to see Mel Gibson speaking japanese.
1
zhezhou Apr 21, 2026 +1
F*** Arasaka!
1
Shoddy-Tooth-8882 Apr 21, 2026 +1
Does this mean I can mail order throwing stars?
1
CornerAgreeable4894 Apr 21, 2026 +1
Tfr ass decision tree
1
ChatamKay Apr 21, 2026 +1
The world, she is a changing.
1
VlRGIN_4ever Apr 21, 2026 +2
Say hi to foreigner massacres? Like I could genuinely see that happening 
2
xacorn Apr 21, 2026
Anime sex pillows and tengus already destroyed American men, so you’re just gonna start sending out holographic pop stars and gundams to finish the job?
0
snaykz1692 Apr 21, 2026 -4
Japan is so f****** back baby let’s gooo
-4
RadFour Apr 21, 2026
So under US logic, China should be allowed to intervene because this poses an imminent threat to China (and other Asian countries in the area).
0
AdPure5645 Apr 21, 2026 -7
Rather have the goodies in the game tbh. A responsible move.
-7
Forest_Orc Apr 21, 2026 -11
So martial artists will be able to bring their Katana to Japan and/or buy one from there without hassle? 
-11
quequotion Apr 21, 2026 +4
>bring to Japan Not likely. Regulations on *carrying* deadly weapons remain some of the tightest in the world. >buy one Need to read the law in detail, but maybe. The restrictions on katanas are not just about safety however: after WWII, countless weapons (including family heirlooms) were confiscated by the United States and haphazardly stuffed away in San Francisco. Most people alive today probably don't remember it, but the few who do are likely to see it as a cultural offense. Those swords had stories.
4
CAJMusic Apr 22, 2026 -1
With 6 you get egg roll
-1
Sorry2mecha2 Apr 21, 2026 -2
At least they’re not upgrading bicycles
-2
blackreagan Apr 21, 2026 -2
Did anybody really expect Japan to remain passive and have no agency in it's future? What's interesting historically is the comeback of Germany and Japan. Especially Germany who has been put down twice. If the Left ever succeeds in pacifying the US, you'll see Germany go back to it's old ways. That country will never accept a Russian threat to it's borders.
-2
xavandetjer Apr 22, 2026 +1
It's not the left that's causing Germany and Japan to worry about the status quo, they feel like they may need a strong military industrial complex because of the maga movement.
1
Mr_Hotshot Apr 21, 2026 -9
So can I buy a Japanese katana now?
-9
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