Thursday evening’s Nikkei front-paged a report on a GOJ plan to conclude a bilateral agreement with Thailand on the transfer of defense equipment and technological cooperation. Thailand is interested in the MSDF’s P-1 patrol aircraft and US-2 large amphibious rescue aircraft. Tokyo, which is concerned about China’s overtures to the military government of Thailand, plans to strengthen security cooperation with Bangkok through defense hardware transfer. Defense Minister Nakatani plans to discuss the matter during his meeting in Bangkok on June 7 with Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan. The accord, a prerequisite for exports of defense equipment from Japan, would require Thailand to obtain Japan’s consent before transferring or using any of the supplied equipment and related technologies for purposes other than those initially set forth. Japan has already concluded a similar agreement with the Philippines and is negotiating similar pacts with Malaysia and Indonesia.