Panel in Japan’s upper house approves security bills
日本通过安全法案

Japan's upper house will run a final vote on the security bills today. Earlier a committee in Japan's upper house of parliament has approved two controversial security bills, clearing the way for a full vote in the uppper house on the legislation that would allow troops to fight abroad for the first time since World War II.

Opposition lawmakers tried to physically prevent the panel's vote in chaotic scenes carried live on national television. The legislation has sparked huge protests in Tokyo and across Japan.

Lawmakers exchanged shouts as the opposition members tried every means to stop the ruling parties from voting on new security bills.

Japanese public anger mounted as the Diet sessions were carried out somewhat forcefully by the ruling parties.

Despite pouring down rain, thousands of people gathered in front of the Diet building, demanding prime Ministers Shinzo Abe to withdraw the security bills and step down.

People fear that the bills will enable the Japanese self defense force to be sent abroad in conflict zones and also lead to revising the pacifist constitution.

Tension increased between the ruling and oppositions lawmakers as the voting took place. Abe was not present, nonetheless the security package was approved.

"The constitution say Japan will not posse an army. The Self Defense Force is allowed in a limited capacity to defend the country. If government's present policy require Japan to have collective self defense, changing interpretation would not be enough," said Masaki Ina, Guest Professor of Constitutional Law, International Christian University.

"The government should let the people decide whether it needs to change the constitution to allow the collective self defense. It is unconstitutional to decide these issues this way."

Currently, under the new interpretation of the constitution, Japan can exercise limited and conditional collective self defense. The question now is whether Abe seeks to revise the constitution or to expand Japan's security role in the future.

"The Article 9 is not only about being pacifist, but also Japan's international pledge never to invade Asian countries again. If Abe wants to revise the Article 9, for collective self defense, then Japan should have something that can substitute for the pledge that it will not resort to aggressive act again," said Prof. Shojiro Sakaguchi, Hitotsubashi Universtiy.

Anger filled the streets, where thousands gathered in protest. Organizers say they will continue to demand the government to drop the security legislation.