Due to the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, Japan has given up the idea of sending Self-Defense Forces elements to help the state's reconstruction efforts, it emerged July 18.

The government sent a research team to the conflict-torn country in June but only found the security situation worsening, sources said.

Many lawmakers said it would be difficult to present a bill to the Diet authorizing an Afghan mission in the next session, expected to be convened in August at the earliest.