Japan's Defense System Review Panel Holds First Meeting
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has asked a panel of experts to come up with ideas by year-end to fundamentally reinforce defense capabilities within five years.
Kishida on Friday attended the first meeting of the experts on foreign affairs, defense, economics and public finance.
He told the members to consider all possible options and study their feasibility.
He said Japan's defense capabilities must be comprehensively reinforced through abolishing sectionalism, carrying out public-private joint research and development, and using public infrastructure in contingencies.
Kishida added that reinforced defense capabilities should be maintained at a certain level, and doing so requires stronger economic power.
He called on the members to discuss the way economic and fiscal policy should be handled.
The prime minister asked the panel to compile its opinions by the end of this year.
The government plans by year-end to revise the National Security Strategy and two other key security-related documents, and to increase defense spending.
Topics to be discussed at the panel will include a new defense budget framework and how to finance it.