Abe Security Bills Pass Japan’s Lower House as Protests Flare
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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s security bills passed parliament’s lower house Thursday after a night of noisy protests, as his push to expand the role of the military risks further eroding his public support.
The move pits Abe against voters uneasy about any deviation from 70 years of postwar pacifism, even with a more assertive China on their doorstep. Opposition lawmakers boycotted the vote after making speeches urging the ruling coalition to change its mind as the final minutes counted down to the ballot.