MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Public support for the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dropped to a record low of 35 percent after the lower house of Japan’s legislature endorsed a package of security bills on July 16, an opinion poll by Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun revealed Monday.
The controversial security legislation allows Japanese troops to fight overseas for the first time since World War II.
Under the legislation package, Japan’s government will be able to dispatch its defense forces abroad to assist its allies without the need for parliamentary debate or special laws.
Japan was deprived of any military capability following World War II. Under Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, Japan is not allowed to keep armed forces with war potential. It relies on the US military and a minor internal police force for national security.
The bills, pushed by the ruling coalition led by Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party despite significant popular and parliamentary opposition, still require the upper house's approval.
