Japan's proposal to acquire so-called enemy base strike capability will prohibit it from launching preemptive attacks that would violate international law and keep counterattacks at a minimum when invoked, government sources said Saturday.

The government intends to keep details of the capability, which it is seeking as a deterrent against attacks on Japan, ambiguous to avoid divulging its intentions to other countries, according to the sources.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito will begin official discussions on the possession of enemy base strike capability, or what it calls "counterstrike capability," as early as this month.