The Lower House adopted a "farewell to war" declaration Tuesday supported by the three ruling coalition parties, but the move was labeled an election ploy by the opposition.
"Based on reflection on past history, we will strictly stick to defense under the Constitution and never become a military superpower (that will) cause a threat to other countries," Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori told the Lower House after the declaration was passed.
Members of the Liberal Democratic Party, New Komeito and the New Conservative Party voted for the declaration in a plenary session of the Lower House while opposition lawmakers remained seated to demonstrate their objections.
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