Shoulder Arms! Controversial Defense Bills Pass Japan Upper House Committee

Controversial security bills giving Japan’s Self-Defense Force offensive military powers, including deployment to foreign territories for the first time in seven decades, was approved by a panel in Japan's upper house on Thursday, local media reported.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Members of the committee have approved a package of national security bills allowing Japan to exercise its right to collective self-defense, according to the NHK broadcaster.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party pushed for the vote alongside its coalition partner, Komeito, despite opposition lawmakers' efforts to stall the vote for over 15 hours.

The broadcaster cited five opposition party representatives expressing readiness to continue opposing the bill's passage, including a no-confidence motion against the cabinet and a motion to censure Abe.

NHK reported a majority of the lawmakers endorsing the bills, paving way for Abe's supporters in the ruling bloc to vote on the measures at the House of Councillors by the end of next week.

The legislation was previously approved by the lower chamber, the House of Representatives.

Passage of the new legislature followed shouting and scuffles among lawmakers as tens of thousands of Japanese citizens gathered outside the parliament building to express opposition to the bills. Up to 13 arrests were reported on charges of interfering with police performance of their duties.

The new laws, abolishing Article 9 of the Japanese constitution that renounces the use of force in settling international disputes, would allow the Self-Defense Force to be sent overseas in an offensive military posture for the first time since World War II.

Abe’s government introduced the legislation to parliament in May, triggering nationwide rallies accusing him of using it as a pretext for militarily involving Japan in international armed conflicts.