<p>Japan has just held its first international arms fair, something that was almost unthinkable before conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abe came to power in December 2012. The arms fair coincides with the start of a parliamentary debate over bills that could see Japanese troops fighting alongside allies overseas for the first time in seven decades. These challenges to Japan's pacifist credentials have unleashed a fierce public debate.</p><br />Programme prepared by Josh Vardey and Mariem Lina Fahoum<br /><br />Visit our website:<br />http://www.france24.com<br /><br />Like us on Facebook:<br />https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English<br /><br />Follow us on Twitter:<br />https://twitter.com/France24_en
