Japan passes contingency bills

Japan's lower house passed Thursday aset of contingency bills on providing US forces with ammunition when Japan is under attack.

Under the bills, the Maritime Self-Defense Force will be able to check suspected ships in an emergency. The government is granted priority to use ports and airports in such a situation.

The package also includes public evacuation procedures when Japan faces foreign military attack, terrorism, or major natural disaster.

The bills are expected to go immediately to the upper house forreview and likely to be approved before the current parliament session closes in June.

Source: Xinhua