The government is to submit a new anti-piracy bill in the current parliamentary session.
The legislation sponsored by the ministry of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism still has to gain approval from MPs, however.
Japan-registered companies are currently prohibited from carrying armed guards under the firearm control law.
Under the new bill, warning shots to hold back pirates from a vessel will be allowed, while firing directly at them will be prohibited except in self-defence, sources said.
