Japanese Cabinet Endorses Expansion of Military's Role in Case of Foreign Attacks - from Tampa Bay Online TOKYO (AP) - Japan's Cabinet endorsed new rules Tuesday that would expand the nation's military role and give the government new powers in case of foreign attack. Opponents say the move runs afoul of Japan's post World War II pacifist constitution.
The measures are designed to give a greater latitude to the prime minister and the Self Defense Forces in time of military emergency. Cabinet endorsement brings the measures a major step closer to ratification.
Their adoption as law would be a victory for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who swept to power last year on pledges to bolster Japan's military. The three bills are to be sent Wednesday to Parliament, which has until mid-June to vote them into law.