A plan to upgrade Japan’s Defense Agency into a full-fledged ministry needs to win public understanding before the ruling parties can push for its approval, the agency’s chief said on Tuesday, in a sign that the change was likely to be delayed. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) had planned to submit largely symbolic legislation to upgrade the Defense Agency in the current session of parliament. But a recent big-rigging scandal involving present and former Defense Agency officials has slowed the party’s drive toward the long-sought goal. Full Story