Al Jazeera
Upper house passes law allowing troops to fight on foreign soil for first time since World War II, despite protests.

Japan’s parliament has passed a law allowing its military to fight on foreign soil for the the first time since World War II.

Japan marks WWII anniversary amid criticism

The upper house of the Japanese parliament passed the law on Saturday despite fierce attempts by opposition politicians to block the move.

The approval makes the legislation into law, loosening post-World War II constraints on the use of force by the military to its own self-defense only.

The legislation, passed by the more powerful lower house in July, sparked sizable protests and debate about whether the nation should shift away from its pacifist ways to face growing security challenges.

The motion, backed by Shinzo Abe’s ruling coalition, passed following days of heated debate that at times descended into scuffles and shouting matches between parliament members.

Fierce opposition

Opposition politicians on Thursday pushed and shoved in a failed bid to stop a committee approving the bills.

Abe has faced fierce criticism for his handling of the bills and there are growing signs the campaign has taken a political toll.