Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the first Advisory Council on the Establishment of a National Security Council at the Prime Minister's Office.

At this meeting, the procedures for discussion in the Establishment of a National Security Council were discussed, followed by an explanation from the government side and an exchange of opinions.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

"It is the most important responsibility of the government to ensure the peace and independence of Japan, and to protect the lives and assets of the people. With the further increasing severity of the security environment surrounding Japan, it is necessary for the entire Cabinet to work on the strengthening of foreign affairs and the security system of Japan.
As an important part of measures therefor, I would like to develop an environment to allow prompt reaction under strong political leadership, by establishing a National Security Council as the control tower for foreign and security policies, as an occasion for daily and flexible discussion on various issues of foreign affairs and security from a strategic perspective, under the initiative of the Prime Minister.
I would like to ask the members to intensively discuss the ideal state of the National Security Council that is best suited to Japan, by collecting your abundant knowledge and past experiences in the area of foreign affairs and security, and to provide frank opinions. Thank you for your cooperation."