A Japanese lower house committee unveiled Friday a report on the country's constitution revision, suggesting that the basic law could recognize the existence of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and the right of collective self-defense.

The report also said the majority of the committee support allowing females to assume the imperial throne, while maintaining that the status of the emperor is the nation's symbol rather than the head of state.

This is the first time for Japan to move to revise its constitution since it was born in 1946.

The focus falls on how Japan would describe the function and role of its defense forces in the post-World War II pacifist constitution.

The Article 9 denies the country the possession of army and the right of belligerency.

Nevertheless, its armed forces have been established in the name of self-defense and become alarmingly powerful. The strength of the SDF is widely regarded as being excessive in performing self-defense duty alone.

As regarding the right to self-defense and the SDF, the majority said that they "do not oppose some kind of constitutional measures to be taken."

The report said panel members were split into three over whether or not to permit Japan's exercise of the right to collective self-defense -- one to allow, the other not to allow and the remaining one to allow with stipulated restrictions.

The report was approved by the ruling bloc of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the New Komeito party as well the major opposition Democratic Party of Japan. The other two opposition parties -- the Japanese Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party -- voted against it.

The report said the majority of the panel members supported the envisaged revision stipulating Japan's participation in United Nations collective security activities, the definition of defense emergencies and the creation of a framework for regional security in Asia.

In spite of controversy, the Japanese government has managed to send troops to participate in UN international peacekeeping and assistance efforts. The SDF also was active in backing US military operation by dispatching forces abroad, such as in Iraq.

An upper house constitution revision research committee is expected to submit its version next week. And the LDP plans to work out a revision draft this autumn.