A government panel has proposed creating a Japanese version of the U.S. National Security Council. The main task of the new entity would be to work out long-range diplomatic and defense strategies as well as cope with emergencies not limited to defense. The success of the new body would depend on whether it could receive timely, relevant information from various government ministries and agencies and whether Cabinet ministers would readily implement decisions made by it.
The new entity would comprise the prime minister as chairperson, the chief Cabinet secretary, the foreign minister and the defense minister. It would be formed by streamlining the existing Security Council of Japan, now composed of the prime minister and eight Cabinet members.
The existing body only discusses key issues related to defense. The new body would discuss a wider range of topics in a flexible manner to make timely decisions. Members would meet at least twice a month. The government hopes to see the new body inaugurated in April 2008.