Japan's two governing parties are aiming to reach an agreement that the country should be capable of conducting counterstrikes on missile-launching sites and other enemy targets.

An agreement at the two parties' working-level talks on Friday would mark a major shift in Japan's security policy after the end of World War Two.

Japan's governing parties have confirmed that they will try to reach an agreement on Friday on the country's capabilities to conduct counterattacks on enemy missile-launching sites among others.

Lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and coalition partner Komeito discussed the issue on Wednesday at their eighth working-level talks.

Japan is expected to become capable of testing up to about 3,800 people a day for the coronavirus on Tuesday, as it is working to boost its testing capabilities.

The health ministry told municipalities across Japan to expand the scope of their screenings to include people with suspected infections who have had no travel history to the Chinese provinces of Hubei or Zhejiang.