Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet adopted two security bills on Thursday that would, if passed by the Diet, greatly expand the scope of the Self-Defense Forces' joint operations with foreign forces overseas.
"The Cabinet today approved a package of security bills to ensure peace for Japan and the world," Abe said at a news conference at his office.
The legislation will be submitted to the current Diet session, where heated debate is expected. If passed, it will effectively usher in a historic shift away from the country's long-held defensive posture on matters of security.
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