Controversial security bills that opponents say will undermine 70 years of pacifism and could see Japanese troops fighting abroad for the first time since World War II passed through the powerful lower house of parliament on Thursday.
The vote marks a victory for nationalist Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other right-wingers, who have ignored popular anger in a bid to break what they see as the shackles of the US-imposed constitution.
They say restrictive clauses preventing Japan from having a fully-fledged military serve as a straightjacket that stops Tokyo from doing what it must to protect its citizens, allies and friends.-Abe’s ruling coalition was left alone to vote after all main opposition parties walked out of the chamber in protest, a move intended to reflect widespread public fury over the legislation.
“The security situation surrounding Japan is increasingly severe,” Abe told reporters after the vote, in an apparent reference to the rise of China.”These bills are necessary to protect Japanese people’s lives and prevent a war before it breaks out.”
The vote came a day after as many as 60,000 people took part in a rally outside parliament, after the bills — which will give Japan’s tightly-restricted military greater scope to act — were pushed through a key lower house panel.