Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the seventh meeting of the Advisory Panel on National Security and Defense Capabilities at the Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting, discussions were conducted after briefings by government officials.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

"Ever since this Advisory Panel was launched in September of this year, its distinguished members have engaged in lively and intensive discussions, and have shared many valuable opinions regarding the National Security Strategy (NSS) and the new National Defense Program Guidelines (NDPG). I would like to first begin by sincerely thanking the distinguished panelists.
In the face of the increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan, since the inauguration of the Abe Cabinet, we have been working to reformulate Japan's security policies, with determination to resolutely defend the lives and property of the people in any situation.
The NSS and the new NDPG are the cornerstones of these policies, and I am convinced that these instruments we have been reviewing together will become historical documents that will shape the national security of Japan.
The NSS being finalized now incorporates fundamental principles and comprehensive measures, and is a document that gives shape to Japan's policy of proactive contribution to peace based on a belief in international cooperation. Furthermore, the NDPG will stipulate that Japan will strengthen the defense posture needed for the Self-Defense Forces to sufficiently fulfill the roles demanded of them into the future, based on a clear awareness of the issues and a firm mindset to prevent any threats to Japan from emerging, and if they do emerge, to remove them.
In partnership with the ruling parties we are engaged in government-wide coordination for the final compilation work.
Today, I look forward to receiving further opinions from everyone and creating documents that are close to finalized. Thank you very much."