S/ Onodera Itsunori, Head, LDP committee on security strategies / As Prime Minister Ishiba has said, issues such as an Asian NATO and revision of the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement are tasks that cannot be completed overnight. It is important to first build up solid discussions.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party launched a special mission committee to discuss Japan's security strategies on November 28.

Heading the new committee is LDP Policy Research Council Chairperson Onodera Itsunori, who was Japanese defense minister when US President-elect Donald Trump served his first term as the leader of the United States.

Topics include the concept of a collective security arrangement in Asia similar to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, that is proposed by Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru.

At the committee meeting, Onodera said Japan will reinforce cooperation with various countries, with the Japan-US alliance at the center, and heighten its response and de-terrent capabilities.

Committee members confirmed their recognition of the importance of preventing the East Asian region from becoming a security vacuum.

The special mission committee is set to engage in activities including exchanging views with experts before submitting recommendations to Ishiba.