日本欲立法扩大海外自卫队

The Japanese government has presented a draft security bill to the ruling parties, in a move to expand the role of the country's Self-Defense Forces abroad. Lawmakers from the Liberal Democratic Party, and its junior coalition partner, the Komeito Party, agreed on the proposal during talks, but some differences remain on how to keep the Self-Defense Force operation in check.

The issue of "collective self-defense" -- defending its allies under armed attack -- has been a controversial topic in the country, despite the cabinet's decision last July to reinterpret the Pacifist Constitution to allow such an act.

The two parties aim to reach a final agreement later this month, as the government plans to submit the legislation for debate at Japan's parliament in May.