The Liberal Democratic Party's defense panel compiled a draft bill Friday to lift Japan's self-imposed freeze on participation in U.N. peacekeeping missions that is expected to serve as a base for ruling bloc discussions next week.
The LDP's commission on defense policy compiled the bill to revise the 1992 law on Japan's peacekeeping activities in a meeting in the morning, LDP members said.
The move comes at a time when momentum is growing within the coalition for the freeze to be lifted in the current Diet session, which ends next month.
Politicians from the LDP and its two coalition partners -- New Komeito and the New Conservative Party -- are expected to meet Monday to hold discussions based on the draft compiled by the panel, the lawmakers said.
Friday's draft lifts the freeze on the Self-Defense Forces taking part in tasks that could result in armed skirmishes, such as monitoring demilitarized zones or collecting and disposing of discarded weapons.
It also allows the use of weapons by SDF personnel not only to protect themselves but also those "under their care," such as wounded soldiers and troops from other countries as well as U.N. and Red Cross officials.
The lifting of the freeze was expected to be carried over to the next regular Diet session, but the momentum to effect the changes before the end of the current extraordinary session grew after the LDP and New Komeito appeared ready to compromise.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda welcomed the move Friday, saying: "I would like to see the width of activities (of Japan's peacekeeping operations) expanded. I think it would be good if we can enrich their activities."