ARIRANG NEWS 22:00
Hello... and thanks for joining us for our late night newscast coming to you from Arirang′s News Center in Seoul.
I′m Mark Broome.
Japan passes controversial security bills as protests rage on
Our top story tonight...
After long debate in Japanese parliament,... lawmakers have passed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe′s controversial security bills.
The bills will let Japan′s military provide much greater support to its allies and,... in particularly,... the United States.
Opponents say that violates Japan′s constitution.
The Korean government is urging Tokyo to be transparent when implementing defense and security policies from now on.
Kim Min-ji reports.
Japan will now be able deploy troops abroad for the first time since the Second World War.
Japan′s upper house of parliament, led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe′s ruling coalition,... passed eleven security bills with 148 lawmakers voting in support and 90 against.
The Abe administration says the changes are necessary to meet military challenges,... and to share global peacekeeping efforts.
"The Peace and Security laws are necessary to protect the people′s lives and peaceful way of living and is for the purpose of preventing wars."
The U.S. has welcomed the passage of the bills.
Japan′s neighbors have not.
Korea says Japan will not be allowed to exercise its right to collective self defense over issues related to its security and national interests,... without Seoul′s request or consent.
It added that Tokyo′s security policy should be decided and carried out in a transparent way to maintain the spirit of Japan′s pacifist constitution.
China called the move "unprecedented" and urged Japan to act with discretion on military and security issues,... and to do more to promote regional peace and security.
The legislation also sparked rallies within Japan,... with tens of thousands of demonstrators demanding Abe resign and scrap the war bills.
Critics say the bills violate the constitution and could lead Japan into U.S.-led conflicts overseas.
For now, Abe has what he wanted, but at what cost?
The opposition has vowed to hold large-scale demonstrations in protest and the bills could deal a blow to Abe′s popularity at next year′s election.
Kim Min-ji, Arirang News.
Japan′s Foreign Ministry leaves out key phrases on updated website on history issues
In a move sure to spark a furious reaction from Korea and China,... Japan′s Foreign Ministry has updated its website on historical issues by removing references to Japan′s past aggression and imperialism.
Following the wording used by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in his war anniversary statement last month,... the edited website now says Japan must not let future generations be predestined to apologize.
The ministry has also deleted some content from previous government statements that expressed deep remorse.
The previous page said Japan caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many

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