It wouldn't be WWIII without them
It's all about China and we need the help.
(The Guardian) - Japan’s lower house of parliament has approved legislation that could see troops sent to fight abroad for the first time since the second world war, despite thousands of protesters overnight chanting and holding up placards reading “No War, No Killing”.
A lower house panel approval on Wednesday of the unpopular bills, which would drop a ban on collective self-defence or fighting to defend a friendly country like the United States, sparked a huge demonstration and more are planned.
The protest was reminiscent of those that toppled prime minister Shinzo Abe’s grandfather from the premiership 55 years ago after he rammed a revised US-Japan security pact through parliament.
Crowds of protesters – organisers said 100,000 – gathered near parliament. Many stayed well into the night, chanting and holding up placards reading “Abe, quit”, “No War, No Killing” and “Scrap the War Bills”.
Protesters were assembling again on Thursday, although rainy weather could dampen the numbers.
The bills will now go to the upper house, and if no vote is taken after 60 days they will be returned to the lower house, where Abe’s coalition can enact them with a two-thirds majority.
Abe says a bolder security stance, welcomed by Washington, is essential to meet new challenges, such as those from a rising China.
“The security situation around Japan is getting tougher,” Abe told reporters after the vote, which was boycotted by the main opposition parties. “These bills are vital to protect the Japanese people’s lives and prevent war.”
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