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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Japan security vote delayed by opposition tactics | Japan security vote delayed by opposition tactics |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| There have been a series of delays to a final vote on legislation to expand the role of Japan's military abroad. | There have been a series of delays to a final vote on legislation to expand the role of Japan's military abroad. |
| Opposition parties have introduced several censure motions against ministers and parliamentary leaders, delaying the vote all day. | Opposition parties have introduced several censure motions against ministers and parliamentary leaders, delaying the vote all day. |
| The government will want to hold the vote before a five-day holiday begins on Saturday. | The government will want to hold the vote before a five-day holiday begins on Saturday. |
| If it does not, it is thought that already-large protests against the bills could get larger. | If it does not, it is thought that already-large protests against the bills could get larger. |
| The legal changes would allow Japanese troops to fight overseas for the first time since World War Two. | The legal changes would allow Japanese troops to fight overseas for the first time since World War Two. |
| The legislation is expected to pass, despite opposition inside and outside parliament, as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition controls the House of Councillors. | The legislation is expected to pass, despite opposition inside and outside parliament, as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition controls the House of Councillors. |
| The bills have already passed through the government-dominated lower house. | 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? | What is collective self-defence? |
| Japan's post-World War Two constitution bars it from using force to resolve international conflicts except in cases of self-defence. | Japan's post-World War Two constitution bars it from using force to resolve international 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. | |
| Speaking in parliament on Friday, Akira Gunji, of the opposition Democratic party, said: "We should not allow such a dangerous government to continue like this. Prime Minister Abe's security bill is a threat to our legal framework." | |
| 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. |
| Principles in practice | Principles in practice |
| What kinds of military actions would the laws allow? | What kinds of military actions would the laws allow? |
| Critics have focussed on what they say is ambiguity in how the principles of the legislation will be interpreted, and the possibility that future governments will interpret them more broadly. | Critics have focussed on what they say is ambiguity in how the principles of the legislation will be interpreted, and the possibility that future governments will interpret them more broadly. |