A growing number of Japanese lawmakers say they endorse a plan for Prime Minister Kishida Fumio to head to Ukraine without prior notice to the Diet.
The lawmakers, both from the ruling and opposition parties, see Kishida's possible trip to Ukraine as an exceptional case.
Such a plan goes against the standard practice of prime ministers telling the Diet about their travel plans before heading overseas.
But Motegi Toshimitsu, secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, justified the plan, saying great precautions would need to be taken in order to respond to unexpected events and ensure Kishida's safety.
A senior opposition politician echoed that view, saying the Diet should not stand in the way of Kishida's possible visit to Ukraine.
The government has yet to make a decision on the plan and is carefully watching if more politicians are coming to support it as a key diplomatic move for Japan, which holds the G7 presidency this year.
Some experts, however, have pointed out that securing the prime minister's safety in the conflict-torn country isn't an easy task for Japan, which doesn't have any military troops or special-operations units.