Press Conference by the Prime Minister on a Meeting of the National Security Council and Other Matters

（Regarding a meeting of the National Security Council）

The latest missile launch by North Korea violates the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and Japan strongly condemns this act. In response to this, I held a meeting of the National Security Council a short while ago to gather information on the latest missile launch by North Korea and to discuss how we should respond going forward. In the meeting, I instructed the relevant ministers to ensure the safety and security of the people, including by collecting and analyzing intelligence, ensuring vigilance and monitoring and cooperating on an international level with the United States and other countries.

Details of the latest launch by North Korea are currently under analysis, including a possible use of a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). North Korea has made remarkable progress in the development of nuclear missile-related technology in recent years, and I believe that this cannot be overlooked for the security of Japan and the region. In view of such circumstances, I have already given instructions to revise the National Security Strategy and other documents, and today I again made sure that all options would be considered, including the possession of so-called enemy-base strike capability. We remain committed to drastically strengthening Japan's defense capability. The Kishida Cabinet will resolutely defend our territory, territorial waters and airspace, as well as the lives and assets of the Japanese people. Thank you.