The Cabinet approved and submitted to the Diet seven bills Tuesday that would define citizen evacuation procedures and update cooperation with U.S. forces stationed in Japan, wrapping up the nation's war-contingency legislation.
The bills, supplementing laws enacted last year that spell out the steps to mobilize the Self-Defense Forces, are necessary to effectively defend Japan from attack, the government said.
But some citizens' groups and academics suspect the proposed legislation would lead to excessive restrictions on the public and greater participation by Japan in U.S.-led military operations.