MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines welcomed on Saturday, September 19, the enactment into law of Japan's contentious security bills – a move which would allow Japanese troops to fight abroad in defense of its allies.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said in a statement, "The Philippines welcomes the passage of legislation on national security by the National Diet of Japan."
He also said, "We look forward to efforts that strengthen our Strategic Partnership with Japan and those that would contribute further to shared goals of greater peace, stability, and mutual prosperity in the international community."
Japan's parliament approved the bills early Saturday to ease restrictions on the country's tightly controlled military.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe earlier said the changes were a normalization of Japan's military policy, and that these were "necessary in order to protect people's lives and peaceful way of life".
"This is designed to prevent wars," he added.
But the move has met opposition, with tens of thousands taking their protest to the streets. Critics believe these changes could fundamentally alter Japan.
Aside from the Philippines, the United States has also backed the changes, but regional rivals China and South Korea have expressed concern about any expansion of Japanese military scope. – with reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com