Japan's Parliament Approves Defense Ministry Bill

日本国会通过防卫厅升级议案

Japan's parliament has passed legislation to upgrade the country's defense agency into a full ministry. The measure approved Friday by Japan's upper house will transform the defense agency from an affiliate of the Cabinet Office to a policy-making ministry with a budget. The legislation would also make overseas peacekeeping activities a regular part of the defense forces' activities along with defense and disaster relief at home.

The lower house approved the bill last November. Japan's military is restricted to non-combat missions, as stipulated in the country's pacifist constitution. The constitution was shaped after World War Two. Conservatives say it is outdated. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has promised to work toward revising the constitution's "no war" clause.

日本国会通过议案，将日本防卫厅升级为省。日本国会参议院星期五批准的这项法案将把原来隶属于内阁府的防卫厅变成了一个有预算和政策制定权的省。这项立法还将使海外维和行动成为日本国防力量除了国防和国内赈灾以外的经常活动。

日本国会众议院11月份批准了这项立法。日本的和平宪法规定，日本武装只限于执行非战争任务。日本宪法二战以后制定，日本的保守派说，这部宪法已经过时。日本首相安倍晋三承诺，要争取修改宪法中“不参与战争”的条款。