The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner, Komeito, reached an agreement Monday on legislation that would expand the scope of the Self-Defense Forces' activities overseas and expand the areas in which they can operate.

The agreement paves the way for the Cabinet to approve the bills Thursday and submit them to the current Diet session with the aim of opening a new chapter in Japan's postwar security policies.

The move is expected to support Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's goal of making Japan more of a "proactive contributor to peace."