Japanese Parliament Endorses Upgrade for Defense Agency

日本国会批准防卫厅升格为防卫省

Japan's lower house of Parliament has voted to upgrade the country's Defense Agency into a ministry. If approved by the upper house, the upgrade means the country's defense minister will be able to convene cabinet meetings, push new legislation and have greater control over the national defense budget.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said the upgrade is needed to allow Japan to respond appropriately to any situation. Japan's self-defense forces has been allowed to participate only in non-combat operations since World War Two. Japan is considering legislation to amend a clause in its constitution that bars the use of force in settling international disputes, and allows a military force for self-defense only.

日本国会众议院投票通过把日本防卫厅提升为防卫省。如果得到参议院的批准，这一升级将意味着防卫大臣可以召开内阁会议，推行新立法，对国防预算拥有更大的控制权。

日本首相安倍晋三说，这一提升必要，让日本可以对任何情况做出恰当的反应。第二次世界大战以来，日本自卫队只能参加非战斗行动。日本正在考虑修订宪法的一个条款。日本这一条款禁止使用武力解决国际争端。日本宪法规定，军事力量只能用于自卫。