With exactly five years to go before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave a pep-up talk to Cabinet ministers on Friday, urging them to work as one in preparing for the games.

"We will work to make (the Olympics) a historic event where people from all over the world can share their hopes and dreams," Abe said as he chaired the first meeting of a government task force that involves all ministers.

Abe said the government will work hard to draw up a new plan for the main stadium after last week's announcement that the previous plan was being scrapped due to spiraling costs.