TOKYO, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Japan decided to give up the plan to build a
national security council similar with the U.S. one, top government spokesman
said Monday.
"Current circumstances do not allow for deliberations of the relevant bills
and there is little chance that they will be enacted," Machimura was quoted by
Kyodo News as saying. Such bills would be abolished during the current
parliament session, he added.
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said at a meeting of the existing nine-member
Security Council of Japan that the government intends to give up the plan, Kyodo
said.
As the opposition parties, who oppose the plan, practically control the
House of Councilors, it would be difficult for the government to have the bills
clear the parliament.
In April 2007, the Japanese government approved a bill to set up a national
security council, with a view to enhance the prime minister's leadership in
foreign and defense affairs decision-making procedures. The bill was submitted
to the previous ordinary Diet session.
Under the plan proposed by former premier Shinzo Abe, the council would be
headed by the prime minister and would take over the functions of the existing
nine-member Security Council of Japan. The envisioned body's primary members
were planned to include the chief Cabinet secretary, the foreign minister and
the defense minister.