Japan mulls law to back collective self-defense
TOKYO - Japan is mulling introducing a new law that will set legal procedures and make it mandatory to gain the Diet's approval before exercising the right of collective self-defense, reported local media Sunday.
The new law should be designed to give the Diet the power to block military action and help the ruling Liberal Democratic Party win support from its small ruling partner the New Komeito Party and other oppositions, said Japan's Kyodo News, quoting government officials.
The government aims to submit the bill to create the law to regular Diet session to be convened early next year, said the report.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is attempting to revise the country's constitution or change its interpretation in efforts to enable the country to exercise the collective self-defense rights.
Japan's current war-renouncing constitution bans the country from involving in international disputes by using forces.
According to a latest poll, about 47.4 percent of respondents said they oppose Japan to use the rights to collective self-defense.