Amid strong protests from opposition parties Monday, the ruling bloc rammed a special antiterrorism bill through a Lower House committee that would enable the Maritime Self-Defense Force to resume its refueling mission in the Indian Ocean.

The bill is poised for passage Tuesday by the Lower House with a majority vote from the Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito ruling coalition. From there it will be moved to the opposition-controlled Upper House.

During the committee meeting, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda stressed the importance of passing the bill.