NHK reported this morning that in light of Komeito’s refusal on three occasions to approve of the refurbishing of the Izumo into a “multi-purpose destroyer” with aircraft carrier capabilities in the new National Defense Program Guidelines (NDPG), the government and the LDP are planning to propose to the ruling parties’ NDPG working team shortly that the Izumo will not carry a permanent F-35B fighter contingent and that logistical support and maintenance for the fighters will not be on par with an attack aircraft carrier in an effort to win Komeito’s support. NHK said Komeito claims the difference between this “multi-purpose destroyer” and an attack aircraft carrier is not clear. Japan is prohibited from possessing an aircraft carrier under the Constitution.