Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe won a key parliamentary vote yesterday that will allow Japan's military to fight in limited overseas conflicts for the first time since World War II.

Mr Abe's party and its allies in the lower house passed a package of 11 security-related bills after opposition lawmakers walked out in protest.

The vote is a huge victory for Mr Abe, who has spent his career moving Japan away from its World War II defeat and towards a vision of a 'normal nation' with a greater role in global affairs.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has won a key vote in parliament.

Japan's military can fight to defend allies, but only if not doing so would threaten the "life and survival of Japan." Opposition parties say the interpretation is too vague. Under the law, Japan's military - still known as the Self-Defense Forces - will cooperate more closely with US forces, such as providing logistical support and, in some cases, armed support in international conflicts.

This move goes against the wishes of many Japanese people, and especially makes some Asian countries that were once occupied by the Japanese military feel uncomfortable.

China immediately protested Tokyo's passing of a law allowing its military to go to war, viewing it as a potential threat to peace in Asia.

However, the New York Times said the US welcomed this, and wanted Tokyo to play a larger role in regional security as a counterweight to China.

“These laws are absolutely necessary because the security situation around Japan is becoming increasingly severe,” Mr. Abe said.

(According to VNN)