The ruling bloc tried to clear a key hurdle to enact its contentious security legislation at the Upper House on Wednesday night, but the move was met with vehement protests from opposition lawmakers and thousands of angry demonstrators who gathered in a rally around the Diet building.

The ruling bloc of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito failed to start a session of the Upper House special committee on the legislation Wednesday night. Any developments over the vote were to continue into Thursday.

If passed, the bills will be sent to a plenary session scheduled for Thursday evening, where they will be enacted.