Japan Passes Bill Allowing Troops to Fight Abroad

The Japanese lawmakers passed a package of security bills despite nationwide rallies and accusations that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is using it as a pretext to involve the country in international armed conflicts, Sputnik reported.

According to various estimates, up to 40,000 citizens have gathered outside the Japanese parliament building Friday to protest against the controversial law.

The new legislation, abolishing Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution that renounces the use of force in settling international disputes, would allow the co-called Self-Defense Force to be sent overseas in an offensive military posture for the first time in seven decades.