Lawmakers of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan started discussions Thursday on restricting foreign purchases of domestic land out of concerns for national security and natural resources.

This is the first move by the DPJ after the recent purchase of plots including water-retaining forests and real estate close to national defense facilities raised concerns amid a lack of legislation to restrict such acquisitions.

"We must talk about ways to protect the environment and security and find a certain direction," Yasuo Ichikawa, an Upper House member and the head of the DPJ's project team on the issue, said at the start of the meeting.