Japan has experienced its biggest anti-war protests in over 50 years as politicians set about changing the country’s stance on fighting overseas.
The Japanese parliament has passed a law that allows the country’s armed forces to fight overseas for the first time since the end of World War II, but only under certain conditions.
It has been given the name of “collective self defence” the law change allows actual combat under certain conditions.
Outside parliament, protestors came together in a last effort to stop the law being passed. Tens of thousands of protestors have been fighting the huge change in military policy for some time.
More than 200 hours were spent deliberating the law change, with 148 lawmakers voting in support and 90 against.
It has been given the name “collective self defence” which allows actual combat under three conditions:
- when Japan is attacked, or when a close ally is attacked, and the result threatens Japan’s survival and is a clear danger to people
- when there is no other appropriate way to stop the attack and ensure Japan’s survival and protect its people
- use of force is restricted to a minimum
