Japanese Cabinet endorses more war contingency bills

REUTERS , TOKYO
Wednesday, Mar 10, 2004,Page 5

Japan's Cabinet yesterday endorsed legislation to improve the nation's ability to defend itself from attack by boosting the military's capability to cooperate with US forces and laying out evacuation procedures.

The bills supplement landmark defense legislation enacted last June that gave the prime minister authority over ministries and local governments in case of attack, and put limits on individual rights to allow for smoother military operations.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told his Cabinet he hoped the set of seven bills would be enacted during the current session of parliament ending on June 16, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda told a news conference.

"We want to enact the bills swiftly in this session of parliament," Fukuda said. "It would be appreciated if not only ruling parties but the opposition would support them."

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