Security bills signal fundamental shift in defense policy

Young people protesting in front of Japan's Diet building where the ruling coalition railroaded two security bills on Thursday were voicing their concerns about the direction their country is taking.

They, among scholars, housewives and old folks, believe that the bills will drag Japan into US wars, despite Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe saying, after the vote, they are absolutely necessary to prevent war.

The bills will change the missions for Japan's quasi-military Self-Defense Force. The first bill amends 10 security laws that would effectively remove the restrictions on Japan's right to exercise collective self-defense.