Prime Minister Shinzo Abe rebuffed criticism on Wednesday that the government's contentious security legislation would put Self-Defense Forces personnel at greater risk, saying they would provide logistics support in areas that are safe.

In the first one-on-one debate with opposition party leaders since last June, Abe also said even if the government's security bills are enacted, Japan would not get involved in a war against its will.

"It is a matter of course for the SDF to operate in areas where safety is secured," Abe said in response to questions from Democratic Party of Japan leader Katsuya Okada, who argued the SDF could be seen as an integral part of other militaries engaged in combat operations.