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Japan cabinet approves landmark military change Japan cabinet approves landmark military change
(35 minutes later)
Japan's cabinet has approved a landmark change in security policy, paving the way for its military to fight overseas.Japan's cabinet has approved a landmark change in security policy, paving the way for its military to fight overseas.
Under its constitution, Japan is barred from using force to resolve conflicts except in cases of self-defence.Under its constitution, Japan is barred from using force to resolve conflicts except in cases of self-defence.
But a reinterpretation of the law will now allow "collective self-defence" - using force to defend allies under attack.But a reinterpretation of the law will now allow "collective self-defence" - using force to defend allies under attack.
Ruling bloc lawmakers approved the move on Tuesday morning and the cabinet followed later in the day. PM Shinzo Abe has been pushing hard for the move, arguing Japan needs to adapt to a changing security environment.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been pushing hard for the move, arguing Japan needs to adapt to a changing security environment in the Asia-Pacific region. "No matter what the circumstances, I will protect Japanese people's lives and peaceful existence," he told journalists after the change was approved.
The US - with whom Japan has a decades-old security alliance - will also welcome the move, but it will anger China, with whom Japan's ties are already very strained. The decision must be passed by parliament, which the ruling bloc controls. But by reinterpreting rather than revising the constitution, Mr Abe avoids the need for a public referendum.
The US - with whom Japan has a decades-old security alliance - will welcome the move, but it will anger China, with whom Japan's ties are already very strained.
The decision is also highly controversial in a nation where post-war pacifist identify is firmly entrenched.The decision is also highly controversial in a nation where post-war pacifist identify is firmly entrenched.
On Sunday a man set himself on fire in central Tokyo to protest against the change.On Sunday a man set himself on fire in central Tokyo to protest against the change.
'No recovery''No recovery'
Mr Abe endorsed the move in May, after a panel of his advisers released a report recommending changes to defence laws. Mr Abe first endorsed the move in May, after a panel of his advisers released a report recommending changes to defence laws.
Japan adopted its pacifist constitution after its surrender in World War Two. Since then, its troops have not engaged in combat, although small numbers have taken part in UN peace-keeping operations.Japan adopted its pacifist constitution after its surrender in World War Two. Since then, its troops have not engaged in combat, although small numbers have taken part in UN peace-keeping operations.
Article 9, Japanese constitution What is collective self-defence?
The Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes... land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained It has long held the view that under international law, it has the right to collective self-defence, but - until today - said it could not exercise that right because of constitutional limits.
It has long held the view that under international law, it has the right to collective self-defence, but it also believes that it cannot exercise that right because of constitutional limits. Mr Abe emphasised that the change would not lead to involvement in foreign wars.
Mr Abe's panel recommended that - if Japan reinterpreted the constitution to allow collective self-defence - conditions be imposed to ensure the power would not be abused. "There is a misunderstanding that Japan will be involved in war in an effort to defend a foreign country, but this is out of the question," he told the press conference.
"It will be strictly a defensive measure to defend our people. We will not resort to the use of force in order to defend foreign forces."
On Monday, thousands of people joined a protest in Tokyo to oppose the change.On Monday, thousands of people joined a protest in Tokyo to oppose the change.
Critics of Mr Abe fear that this move is the first step to a more permanent revision or removal of the war-renouncing Article 9 of the constitution.Critics of Mr Abe fear that this move is the first step to a more permanent revision or removal of the war-renouncing Article 9 of the constitution.
"I thought that if we don't stop the Abe government now then it won't be possible to recover," Etsuo Nakashima, 32, told Reuters news agency."I thought that if we don't stop the Abe government now then it won't be possible to recover," Etsuo Nakashima, 32, told Reuters news agency.
But others believe that the constitution is a post-war relic imposed on Japan by the US that restricts it from engaging in the normal activities of a modern nation.But others believe that the constitution is a post-war relic imposed on Japan by the US that restricts it from engaging in the normal activities of a modern nation.
China - with whom Japan is currently engaged in a bitter territorial dispute - says it opposes the change, accusing Japan of "remilitarising" under Mr Abe.China - with whom Japan is currently engaged in a bitter territorial dispute - says it opposes the change, accusing Japan of "remilitarising" under Mr Abe.
Now the cabinet has approved the move, legal revisions must be approved by parliament. But by reinterpreting rather than revising the constitution, Mr Abe avoids the need for a public referendum. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that the new policy "raises doubts about Japan's approach to peaceful development'', and accused Japan of "hyping the China threat''.