TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to pledge support for promoting nuclear power in his first policy speech since taking office, despite having previously called for phasing out the energy source, government sources said Wednesday.

In his speech to parliament scheduled for Friday, Ishiba will emphasize that the security alliance with the United States is the "linchpin of Japan's diplomacy and security." However, he will not address the revision of the Status of Forces Agreement, which serves as the framework for how U.S. troops stationed in Japan operate, the sources said.

Regarding relations with China, Ishiba will say that Japan will assert its position while seeking to "build a constructive and stable relationship" with its neighbor. China's growing maritime assertiveness has raised concerns for Japan.

Ishiba, who took office on Tuesday to succeed Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, will pledge to promote the establishment of a new disaster management agency, one of his key policies, to strengthen and expedite responses to earthquakes, typhoons and other natural disasters that frequently impact the country, the sources said.

On Wednesday, Ryosei Akazawa, a close aide to Ishiba who was appointed minister in charge of preparing for the agency's establishment, said the agency, which will fall under the Cabinet Office, is expected to be created by fiscal 2026.

Ishiba will advocate for the use of nuclear power to enhance the resource-poor country's energy self-sufficiency, the sources said, continuing the previous government's stance of maximizing nuclear power and renewable energy to promote decarbonization.

When announcing his bid to run in the presidential race for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in late August, Ishiba said he wanted to make "utmost efforts" to phase out nuclear power plants. He later said a reliable energy source is also necessary.

To strengthen economic security, Ishiba will also announce in the policy speech plans to advance the establishment of domestic supply chains for semiconductors and accelerate discussions on introducing "active cyber defense," or preemptive measures against cyberattacks.