Defense Agency chief Gen Nakatani said Monday that the softened weapons-use rules being proposed for Self-Defense Forces personnel engaged in U.N. peacekeeping activities do not violate the Constitution.
The defense chief made the remarks during a plenary session of the House of Councilors, which is debating a bill to ease weapons restrictions on SDF personnel. The bill passed the House of Representatives on Friday and is likely to be enacted this Friday, as the Upper House is expected to pass it, lawmakers said.
The legislation would permit SDF members to use arms to protect not only themselves, but people under their control as well. It would only give them "a right that is natural for self-preservation. It would not constitute any violation of the Constitution," Nakatani said.