The United States does not expect the Self-Defense Forces to use force overseas, despite the enactment early Saturday of new security legislation enabling the expansion of their role abroad, according to a Washington-based expert.
Sheila Smith, senior fellow for Japan studies at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank, said in an interview that the legislation will help U.S. leaders understand what the SDF can and cannot do abroad.
Smith also said the U.S. and Japan should focus not just on security challenges but also other issues, such as the speedy conclusion of a sweeping Pacific trade pact, to further cement the bilateral alliance.