The Upper House last Wednesday enacted a law that establishes a Japanese version of the U.S. National Security Council, with the support of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito and the opposition Democratic Party of Japan, Nihon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) and Your Party.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says that the creation of the Japanese NSC will enable the government to flexibly make strategic decisions on security measures and diplomacy.

But there is no guarantee that the NSC will improve the government's ability to make rational security and diplomatic decisions or enhance Japan's national interests.