Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called Sunday for swift enactment of legislation to enable Japan to defend its security more robustly as his Liberal Democratic Party held its annual convention.
"We have a responsibility to protect the lives and peace of the Japanese people. . . .We will stand firm till the end in defense of Japanese territory, airspace and waters," Abe said.
Abe, who heads the LDP, also underscored his resolve to promote economic reforms, saying his team intends to "advance a growth strategy by taking on the largest reforms in the postwar era."