Abe: Japan to set defence policies by end of year

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

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

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

The defence system was aimed at bolstering the country's capability against escalating threats from North 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 the next Cabinet", but added that "it is not binding" for the next administration.

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