The Abe administration proposed Friday expanding the geographic range of ship inspections that can be conducted by the Self-Defense Forces beyond Japan.
Administration officials said this would allow Japan to actively participate in cargo ship inspections and contribute to "global peace and security" in line with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push to give the SDF a greater role abroad.
The proposal came during the third round of weekly talks on security legislation between the Liberal Democratic Party and coalition partner Komeito.