The framework of the Constitution allows for expanded support by the Self-Defense Forces in U.N.-led multinational operations, Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi said Wednesday.

With the remark, Obuchi effectively rejected an argument by former Prime Minister Tsutomu Hata, secretary general of the Democratic Party of Japan, that such a move would lead to an expanded interpretation of the Constitution.

Responding to Hata's questions, Obuchi told a Lower House plenary session that the government maintains a position that Japan will not use military force, nor engage in active support of an action by other countries, that could be interpreted as using force.

But the degree of SDF support provided to multinational forces will be decided by the government on a case-by-case basis, Obuchi said. "It is a matter of course that Japan will more actively contribute to U.N. peacekeeping activities," Obuchi said.

A more active SDF participation in U.N. peacekeeping activities was agreed upon between the Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Liberal Party, in policy discussions held in the runup to the launch of the coalition government last Thursday.

On security issues, the two parties agreed that the scope of SDF participation in United Nations-led peacekeeping missions should be expanded by lifting a freeze limiting its role mainly to the provision of logistic support.

Confirming that the Constitution bans the SDF from directly using force and delivering goods to areas where armed military conflict is taking place, the parties also agreed that the government will deal with other forms of participation on a case-by-case basis to determine whether they are within the framework of the Constitution.