Prime Minister Shinzo Abe aims to revise the Constitution, including the war-renouncing Article 9, because he believes it has become outdated over the 60 years since the end of the war, a government official quoted him as saying Tuesday.

This is the first time Abe has made clear his intention to amend Article 9 since becoming prime minister in September, although he has long been an advocate of changing the Constitution.

Abe's comment comes at a time when North Korea's suspected nuclear test in early October has heightened tensions throughout Asia.