The top officer in the Self-Defense Forces, currently visiting Washington, disagreed with China's portrayal of the controversial security bills that passed the Lower House on Thursday as expanding Japan's military power.
Adm. Katsutoshi Kawano, chief of the SDF's Joint Staff, told the audience at an event Thursday organized by a Washington think tank that the bills "are not meant to liberate Japan militarily but strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance."
The bills, if they pass the Upper House, will allow Japan to come to the aid of the United States or other friendly nations under armed attack, even if Japan itself is not.