TOKYO — The United States has sounded out Japan on the possibility of dispatching Self-Defense Forces transport helicopters to aid reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan, it was learned over the weekend.

In concrete terms, Washington asked Tokyo whether it would be able to send CH-47 transport helicopters for domestic transportation, C-130 transport aircraft to fly goods and personnel from overseas to key airports in Afghanistan and to contribute personnel to provincial reconstruction teams.

The U.S. requests indicate Washington's expectations that Japan will contribute more to the reconstruction of Afghanistan, beyond its refueling activities for U.S. and other countries' forces engaged in antiterrorism operations in the Indian Ocean.

Afghanistan suffers from a shortage of helicopters, which play a major role in domestic transportation within the country, which lacks roads in decent condition.

The sources quoted the U.S. side as pointing out that the helicopter shortage is hampering not only the transportation of goods, but also wounded soldiers.

The U.S. side expressed high hopes that Japan will dispatch large helicopters, such as the CH-47 models, which only a few countries possess in large numbers.

But the dispatch of SDF helicopters and transport aircraft would require new legislation.

As things stand, the government will not be able to study U.S. requests until after the next general election to be held following the dissolution of the House of Representatives