Based on new security laws that took effect last year, the Self-Defense Forces are holding their first armed overseas rescue drills for security situations or natural disasters that endanger Japanese.

Part of the drill, carried out in central Thailand as part of Cobra Gold, the annual military exercise co-hosted by Thailand and the United States, was opened to the media on Sunday.

The legislation eases limits imposed by the recently reinterpreted war-renouncing Constitution so the SDF can play a greater role overseas. This includes restrictions on weapons use to protect Japanese.