Japan's fighter-jet export plans hit snag as Komeito backtracks

Junior ruling coalition partner throws wrench into talks to ease restrictions

Komeito, lead by Natsuo Yamaguchi, has grown wary of easing up on weapon export rules. (Nikkei montage/Source images by Japan's Ministry of Defense and Uichiro Kasai)

YUSUKE TAKEUCHI, Nikkei staff writer

December 7, 2023 06:56 JST

TOKYO -- Discussions within Japan's ruling coalition to ease restrictions on defense exports have ground to a halt as junior partner Komeito wavers, clouding the possibility of the country supplying partners with next-generation fighter jets.

A working group of members from Komeito and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party met Wednesday to discuss possible changes to Japan's defense export rules.