The governing coalition will start discussing lifting a self-imposed freeze on Self-Defense Forces participation in U.N.-led peacekeeping forces after an antiterrorism bill is enacted, possibly Friday, coalition officials said Monday.
A project team of the Liberal Democratic Party and its two junior partners, New Komeito and the New Conservative Party, agreed at a morning meeting to study lifting the ban by revising a law on Japan's participation in U.N. peacekeeping operations.
As the antiterrorism bill will allow SDF troops to use weapons to protect refugees and wounded soldiers as part of support measures for the U.S. military strikes against terrorism, the project team will also consider easing restrictions on the SDF's use of weapons under the revised peacekeeping operation law.
The antiterrorism bill cleared the House of Representatives on Thursday and was immediately sent to the House of Councilors. It is expected to be passed Friday.