DHAKA: Japan’s cabinet is poised to approve a landmark change in security policy, paving the way for its military to fight overseas.

Under its constitution, Japan is barred from using force to resolve conflicts except in cases of self-defence.

But a reinterpretation of the law would allow ‘collective self-defence’, using force to defend allies under attack.

Ruling bloc lawmakers approved the move on Tuesday morning and the cabinet is expected to follow later in the day.

Japan prime minister Shinzo Abe has been pushing hard for the move, arguing Japan needs to adapt to a changing security environment in the Asia-Pacific region.

The US, with whom Japan has a decades-old security alliance, will also welcome the move, but it will anger China, with whom Japan’s ties are already very strained.

The decision is also highly controversial in a nation where post-war pacifist identify is firmly entrenched.

On Sunday a man set himself on fire in central Tokyo to protest against the proposed change.

BDST: 1344 HRS, JULY 01, 2014