Lower House of Japan’s Parliament (Diet) on 16 July 2105 approved 11 security-related bills that change the self-defence law, which was followed by Japan since World War -II.
The change paves the way for the Japanese military to potentially fight abroad for the first time since World War II.
Now the bills need approval from the upper house within 60 days
The biggest change under the new bills is that it allows Japan's military to defend allies like the United States, that come under attack, under a concept known as collective self-defense.
The bills were pushed by the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arguing that it is necessary to expand the role of the military in a doctrine called collective self-defence and are vital to meet new challenges such as from a rising China.
Japan's Constitution of post World War-II bars the government from using force to resolve conflicts except in cases of self-defence. This was done as part of its interpretation of the country's pacifist constitution.
As a result, while Japan has participated in overseas peace-keeping operations overseas for decades, assignments have been limited to offering logistical support in non-combat areas.
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