Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took another step toward his goal of drastically relaxing self-imposed restrictions on the role of the Self-Defense Forces in U.N.-authorized joint military operations on Tuesday, with his government suggesting the ruling coalition scrap the notion of "noncombat zones" to curb SDF activities.
The move, a departure from the traditional limits set by the past governments, could allow the SDF to assume more proactive roles such as providing arms and ammunition to coalition forces.
The war-renouncing Constitution has been interpreted as banning these expanded SDF roles — a concept called "buryoku koshi tono ittaika" (integration with use of force) — or cases in which SDF operations could be seen as being integrated into other countries' combat operations or use of force.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.