JAPAN’S ruling party led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pushed contentious security bills that could see its military fight abroad for the first time in decades through a legislative committee Thursday, catching the opposition by surprise and causing chaos in the chamber.

    Opposition lawmakers surged toward the chairman’s seat as they realized something was up after ruling party legislators had gathered at the podium to protect him.

    As the scrum intensified, ruling party lawmakers still in their seats stood up to signal their support for the legislation, though there didn’t appear to be an audible announcement of what they were voting on.

    The legislative standoff is the latest development in a years-long national debate about the way Japan uses its military, a central question for the country since its armed forces were defeated in World War II seven decades ago. The bills would ease restrictions on what the military can do, a highly sensitive issue in a country where many take pride in the postwar pacifist constitution.

    If the vote stands, the legislation will go to the upper house of parliament for final approval. The bills were passed by the more powerful lower house in July.

    The bills, if enacted, will allow the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to engage in armed conflicts overseas, even if Japan is not under attack, for the first time in 70 years. However, the Japanese war-renouncing constitution bans the SDF from using forces abroad.

    Opponents say the legislation puts the country at risk of being embroiled in U.S.-led wars.

    The majority of Japanese public showed their opposition against the bills. Constant demonstrations with thousands of protesters have been held daily across the country.(Xinhua)

    y the Asahi Shimbun, a major daily, showed that the support rate for the prime minister’s Cabinet plunged to about 36 percent, the lowest level since Abe returned to the powersince late 2012. Disapproval rate for the Cabinet stayed at about 42 percent.

    The poll released Tuesday also said that 68 percent of the respondents opposed to pass the controversial bills during the current Diet session through Sept. 27. About 54 percent said that they opposed the bills, compared those of 29 percent who showed their support.

    (Xinhua)