Discussions have begun between the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito Party political affairs research chairs regarding the export of defense equipment jointly developed with other countries, such as the next generation of fighter jets, to third countries.
The government and the Liberal Democratic Party want to allow exports, and the focus is on whether they can reach an agreement within this month with the Komeito Party, which is taking a cautious stance.
As trilateral talks on the next fighter jet, which is being developed with the UK and Italy, are expected to begin in earnest next month, the government has asked the ruling party to send defense equipment jointly developed with other countries to third countries by the end of this month. We are requesting that exports be allowed.
For this reason, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito Party have continued to hold discussions among working-level officials, but since no agreement was reached, on the 21st, the level was upgraded and discussions were held for the first time by the Chairman of the Political Affairs Research Council.
The Liberal Democratic Party wants to allow exports, but the New Komeito Party takes a cautious stance, with Political Affairs Research Chairman Takagi saying, ``When we decided to jointly develop the next fighter jet, we were not aware that the finished product would be exported to a third country, but... "Why are we exporting? The issue is how to gain the understanding of the people, so I conveyed my awareness of the issue."
The government and the Liberal Democratic Party are considering a plan to limit the export of equipment to third countries to the next generation of fighter jets for the time being, out of consideration for the New Komeito Party.
The political affairs research chairs of both the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito Party are scheduled to hold another discussion next week, and the focus is on whether they can reach an agreement within this month.