Abe: Japan to set defence policies by end of year

out-going Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in a statement on Friday that Japan will come up with defence policies by end of year to protect itself from dangers in region and in face of missile threats.

Abe who has steily pushed to step up Japan's defence capability, said it was an important debate that "protects lives and property of people."

This comes after Japan abandoned deployment of land-based US missile defence system, Aegis Ashore, earlier this year in June.

defence system was aimed at bolstering country's capability against escalating threats from rth Korea.

While a new Prime Minister is set to take his place next week, Abe said "I would like to see a firm discussion in next Cabinet", but ded that "it is t binding" for next ministration.

Next Monday, ruling Liberal Democratic Party will hold a presidential election which will most likely determine next Prime Minister of Japan.