Abe builds up 'China threat' in support of bills

In the midst of a huge public outcry in Japan, the two security bills that will enable Japan's Self-Defense Forces to participate in collective self-defense have now moved to the Upper House, having been approved by the Lower House on July 15.

The latest poll conducted by Nikkei and TV Tokyo shows that 57 percent of the respondents are against their passage during the current session of parliament, compared with only 26 percent in favor.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Liberal Democratic Party have been keen to sell a "China threat" to try and justify the need for the drastic change to the role of Japan's Self-Defense Forces.