LDP to Begin Discussions on Security Documents Thurs.

Tokyo, Nov. 19 (Jiji Press)–The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has affirmed plans to begin discussions on Thursday for revising Japan’s three key national security-related documents. The decision was made Tuesday at an executive meeting of the party’s Research Commission on Security, chaired by former LDP policy chief Itsunori Onodera. The main point of contention is likely to be the easing of rules on transfers of defense equipment. As Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, also LDP president, hopes to revise the documents by the end of 2026, the commission aims to draw up its proposals as early as next spring. A coalition agreement reached last month between the LDP and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party) calls for abolishing a defense equipment transfer rule limiting exports to five types of defense equipment, such as rescue and transport equipment. The prime minister has said her administration aims to achieve the target of increasing Japan’s defense spending to 2 pct of gross domestic product by the end of fiscal 2025, which ends in March 2026, ahead of schedule. Against this background, the scale of defense spending for fiscal 2027 and later will also be a focus. The commission is also expected to discuss expanding the use of drones and whether to introduce nuclear submarines as well as improving the treatment of Self-Defense Forces personnel. The LDP and Nippon Ishin plan to begin their discussions by the end of the year at the earliest. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]