Japan's efforts to update its security legislation reached a milestone last week when an overwhelming Diet majority passed three defense bills designed to deal with a military attack from abroad. The vote -- 202 in favor and 32 against -- would have been inconceivable during the Cold War. It is proof that the Japanese public's perception of national security has changed significantly in recent years.
The package was supported by the three-way ruling coalition comprising the Liberal Democratic Party, New Komeito and the New Conservative Party, and by two opposition groups, the leading Democratic Party of Japan and the Liberal Party. As expected, it was opposed by the Japan Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party.
Now Japan has wartime legislation spelling out basic responses not only to an actual attack but also to an "anticipated" attack. The Self-Defense Forces Law has been amended to facilitate SDF deployment during such contingencies. The law governing the Security Council of Japan also has been revised to create a crisis-response committee.