Transport minister Chikage Ogi indicated Friday that Japan will allow Delta Air Lines to transfer some of its slots to FedEx Corp. at Narita airport, as the United States has requested.
"We'll give the matter favorable consideration," Ogi, minister for land, infrastructure and transport, told a regular press briefing.
Ogi made the comment as U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta warned Wednesday of sanctions against Japanese airlines if Tokyo blocks the transfer, making the issue another potential source of trade friction between Tokyo and Washington.