Protest in Tokyo over security bills

Over 500 people gathered in front of the Japanese Prime Minister's Office in capital Tokyo on Thursday to protest security bills which the cabinet is slated to approve later in the day.

The bills, including a new permanent legislation and others comprising revisions to 10 existing laws, would give Japan Self-Defence Forces (JSDF) greater power, including removal of geographical restrictions on where the forces can operate, Xinhua news agency reported.

People held placards in front of the Prime Minister's Office, condemning that the move would undermine the country's pacifist constitution and drag Japan into war.

"This will be security legislation that enables the JSDF to engage in warfare overseas," a protester said.

"If a war starts, it will be our generation that will be dispatched," said a 23-year-old graduate in Tokyo participating in the protest.

"Abe's government is downplaying the constitution, and it makes me worry that Japan could end up in shambles," another protester said.

The cabinet will present those bills to the Diet, Japan's bicameral legislature.