Japan seeks to expand arms deals

TOKYO - Defense firms put out their wares on Monday at Japan's only dedicated arms show, a site for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government to promote industrial military ties that will bolster the country's influence in Southeast Asia.

The Defense Ministry has invited Southeast Asian military representatives from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam to a separate military technology seminar, aiming to ensure attendance for the Maritime Air Systems and Technologies Asia show near Tokyo, two sources said.

"The ministry is hosting the seminar right after MAST closes," said one of the sources.