JAPAN: Japanese parliamentarian Shinzo Abe, widely expected to become the country's next prime minister, said yesterday that the military should have a greater role in global security and should increase co-operation with US forces.
Speaking to a gathering of mostly Japanese and US military personnel, Mr Abe called for a law allowing the country's armed forces to take part in international co-operation missions overseas, such as humanitarian and reconstruction work.
Japan's pacifist constitution bans the use of force as a means of settling disputes but has been interpreted to allow for a standing military strictly to defend the country.
Japan sent about 600 soldiers to Iraq to help in rebuilding efforts, but has now pulled them out again.