Export of defense equipment: Gap between Japan and the government remains unbridged, making it difficult to reach an agreement within the month. The government is expected to begin full-fledged trilateral talks on the next generation of fighter jets, which are being developed with Britain and Italy, from next month onward.
The Liberal Democratic Party wants to allow exports, while the New Komeito Party remains cautious. The two parties have been raising the level of consultations since last week to be held by the Chairman of the Political Affairs Research Council, and have decided to hold a second meeting on the 28th.