Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the first meeting of the Council for the Protection of Information at the Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting, an "overview of the law (Act on the Protection of Specially Designated Secrets)" and the "upcoming schedule and items for review" were explained and discussed.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

"I would like to sincerely thank everyone for agreeing despite your very busy schedules to serve as members on the Council for the Protection of Information.
It goes without saying that the Act on the Protection of Specially Designated Secrets is an essential law for protecting the security of the Japanese people and of the nation.
Amid the increasing severity of the security environment, other countries have already set forth clear rules on the designation of important secrets, among other items. In order for Japan to obtain sensitive information from relevant countries, Japan too needs to establish rules regarding the management of secret information, for such rules constitute the prerequisite for forging relationships of trust with these countries.
During the deliberations at the Diet, some concerns were raised, including that 'the designation of secrets would be done arbitrarily' or that 'the right to access information would be undermined.'
However, under no circumstances will such things occur.
This law is, first and foremost, intended to protect the security of the people, and will not in any way affect the lives of the general public. In fact, the purpose of the law is to prohibit arbitrary designations.
In order to ensure the proper implementation of the Act on the Protection of Specially Designated Secrets, this Council will be convened to hear expert opinions from all of the distinguished members who have a wealth of experience and excellent wisdom in their respective fields.
Specifically, the Council will discuss, among other items: 'operating standards concerning the designation of special secrets, the lifting of a designation, and the evaluation of a designation's suitability'; and 'draft cabinet order for the Act on the Protection of Specially Designated Secrets.' The Government will take the opinions it receives from you seriously in establishing the operating standards and cabinet order.
Additionally, you will be entrusted with the critical role of checking the status of the law's implementation.
After the law enters into force, every year I will report the status of the law's implementation to this Council. Your opinions, along with the status of the law's implementation, will be reported to the Diet.
The Government will keep working to ensure the proper implementation of the law to dispel the anxieties of the people.
To achieve this we must introduce clear operating standards and a robust third-party screening system, while bearing in mind your discussions, in order to make sure that there is both objectivity and transparency in the handling of secrets by the government, which until now had been surrounded by ambiguity.
I look forward to a lively discussion by the members that brings together your extensive insights in your respective fields. Thank you very much."