Japan's version of the US National Security Council comprising the prime minister and other top government officials will be launched in April 2008, a major local newspaper reported Friday.

The council, to be headed by the premier, will be a reorganized version of the Security Council of Japan. It will also comprise chief cabinet secretary, foreign minister and defense minister and a deputy chief cabinet secretary-level official, the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper said.

A government panel to boost the Prime Minister's Office's functions concerning national security approved the plan concerning the issue at a meeting late Thursday. A final report is to be made public on Feb. 27.

The idea to set up such a council was brought up by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last year while he was running for the president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Once established, the council will hold regular meetings to set up medium and long-term strategies over diplomacy and security.

(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2007)