in 2011, prime minister yoshihiko noda effectively relaxed the three principles. he allowed the joint development and transfer of equipment under certain conditions. then last april, noda and british prime minister david cameron said japan and britain would start jointly developing defense equipment. suga says even if japanese companies participate in the production of the f-35, they would only be manufacturing parts. but u.s. government officials have refused to create a system to get japanese consent before exporting the fighter jet to other nations. lawmakers are concerned, even members of the ruling coalition. >> translator: there's a worrisome possibility that the f-35 could be provided to a nation involved in conflict. the government should call on the u.s. to put strict controls in place. >> reporter: government leaders insist they will continue to uphold the principles of being a passivist nation, but they say taking part in the production of the planes is absolutely necessary in order to defend the country. jun yutsomoto, nhk world, tokyo. >>> two members

in 2011, prime minister yoshihiko noda effectively relaxed the three principles and allowed the joint development and transfer of equipment under certain conditions. then last april, noda and british prime minister david cameron said japan and britain would start jointly developing defense equipment. suga says even if japanese companies participate in the production of the f-35, they would only be manufacturing parts. but u.s. government officials have refused to create a system to get japanese consent before exporting the fighter jet to other nations. lawmakers are concerned, even members of the ruling coalition. >> translator: there's a worrisome possibility that the f-35 could be provided to a nation involved in conflict. the government should call on the u.s. to put strict controls in place. >> reporter: government leaders insist they will continue to uphold the principles of being a passivist nation but taking part in the production of the planes is absolutely necessary in order to defend the country. jun yutsomoto, nhk world, tokyo. >>> thousands of u.s. and south korean troops