Japan looks to Greece for first major defense export

TOKYO -- Japan is gearing up for talks with Greece about exporting the US-2 rescue aircraft in a deal that would mark the nation's first sale of finished defense equipment.

Greece expressed an interest in buying the amphibious plane, which costs more than $90 million and is made by Takarazuka-based ShinMaywa Industries, as part of a modernization of its fleet of firefighting aircraft.

Japan relaxed its ban on weapons exports in 2014, allowing the conditional transfer of defense equipment and technology.