An expert panel for Japan's health ministry has agreed on the approval of the country's first abortion pills. The ministry says it will hold further discussions on whether to make the decision official.

The medication, known as Mefeego Pack, was developed by British drugmaker LinePharma. The nonsurgical treatment involves taking two types of pills to terminate a pregnancy.

The company filed an application for the pills with Japan's health ministry in December 2021. It says they can be used up to the ninth week of pregnancy.

The panel met behind closed doors on Friday.

Sources say the experts concluded there was nothing to prevent the approval of the medication.

The ministry says 93 percent of the participants in domestic clinical trials aborted within 24 hours. It also says about 60 percent complained of stomach pain and other side effects, but most experienced mild to moderate symptoms.

Ministry officials say public interest in the medication is high so it is necessary to carry out careful discussions. They say they will listen to comments by the public and hold meetings of a higher-level committee before making an official decision on whether to approve the pills.