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Japan set for final vote on security bills Japan set for final vote on troops fighting overseas
(about 3 hours later)
Japan's upper house is set to hold the final vote on bills to expand the role of the country's military abroad.Japan's upper house is set to hold the final vote on bills to expand the role of the country's military abroad.
The changes will allow Japanese troops to fight overseas for the first time since World War Two.The changes will allow Japanese troops to fight overseas for the first time since World War Two.
They are expected to pass, despite public protests, as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition controls the House of Councillors.They are expected to pass, despite public protests, as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition controls the House of Councillors.
Politicians have first been voting on opposition censure motions brought in an attempt to delay the bills' passage.Politicians have first been voting on opposition censure motions brought in an attempt to delay the bills' passage.
The opposition also plan to file a no-confidence vote in the lower house and may even try walking at an extremely slow pace to some ballots, to use up as much time as possible. Mr Abe has already defeated a censure bill against him, but the opposition also plan to file a no-confidence vote in the lower house. That too is not expected to pass.
The bills have already passed through the government-dominated lower house.
On Thursday, opposition politicians tried to physically delay proceedings ahead of a committee vote on the bills.On Thursday, opposition politicians tried to physically delay proceedings ahead of a committee vote on the bills.
What is collective self-defence? Collective self-defence?
Japan's post-World War Two constitution bars it from using force to resolve conflicts except in cases of self-defence.Japan's post-World War Two constitution bars it from using force to resolve conflicts except in cases of self-defence.
Mr Abe's government has pushed for security legislation that would allow Japan's military to mobilise overseas when these three conditions are met:Mr Abe's government has pushed for security legislation that would allow Japan's military to mobilise overseas when these three conditions are met:
What's behind Japan's military shift?What's behind Japan's military shift?
The bills have prompted large public protests for months.The bills have prompted large public protests for months.
The changes re-interpret rather than formally change the constitution. But critics say this will violate the pacifist constitution and could lead Japan into unnecessary US-led wars abroad.The changes re-interpret rather than formally change the constitution. But critics say this will violate the pacifist constitution and could lead Japan into unnecessary US-led wars abroad.
Article nine of the constitution bans using war to settle international disputes.
Supporters of the measures, which are backed by Washington, insist they are essential for the defence of Japan and its regional allies, and will permit greater involvement in peacekeeping activities around the world.Supporters of the measures, which are backed by Washington, insist they are essential for the defence of Japan and its regional allies, and will permit greater involvement in peacekeeping activities around the world.