The National Security Council (NSCJ, Japanese: 国家安全保障会議; Hepburn: Kokka anzen hoshō kaigi) is the principal forum used by the Prime Minister and Cabinet of Japan to coordinate and deliberate on security and defense policies for Japan.

It was formed in 2013 on the initiative of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to replace the ineffective Security Council and to centralize information management.

[1] After Shinzo Abe was appointed prime minister for the first time in 2006 he initiated preparations for a new National Security Council, but the effort stalled after he stepped down from office in January 2007.

[7][8][3] The Council met for the first time on 4 December 2013 to discuss the adoption of the National Security Strategy and China's Air Defense Identification Zone.

It makes up the core of the council and meets on a biweekly basis to deliberate on matters concerning national security.

The secretariat works closely with the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office and also receives reports directly from various agencies and bureaux.

The first Secretary General was Shotaro Yachi, former administrative vice minister of foreign affairs.

They are followed by three senior counsellors: one high-ranking military officer from the JSDF and one civilian official each from the Foreign and Defense ministries.