Japan's lower house approves two bills allowing troops to fight overseas

The lower house of Japan's parliament has approved two controversial bills that would allow the country's troops to fight abroad for the first time since World War two, despite protests in Tokyo.

According to BBC, the bills still need to be approved by the upper house as many expect them to gradually be passed into law.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has also pushed for the two bills saying that it is essential to expand the military's role in a doctrine called self-defence.

According to polls, more than half of Japanese citizens oppose the bills.