The Diet enacted legislation Wednesday that will pave the way for U.S. military forces to be realigned in Japan despite criticism of its "carrot and stick" approach, which gives subsidies to local governments based how much they cooperate with the government's plans.

The ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito pushed the bill through the House of Councilors by a majority vote at a plenary session, completing its passage through the Diet. It was approved by the House of Representatives on April 13.

The law is designed to provide subsidies conditionally and incrementally in four stages to municipalities that host or are situated near bases expected to have a substantial U.S. military presence.