Japan Lower House Passes Antipiracy Bill

Tokyo, April 23 (Jiji Press)--Japan's House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday to allow the country's military to step up its fight against piracy.

The bill cleared the Lower House by a majority vote from the ruling
coalition. It is expected to be enacted during the current parliamentary
session as the largest opposition party does not plan to block a vote at the
House of Councillors.
The ruling alliance is determined to pass the bill through a second
vote at the Lower House using its two-thirds majority once the
opposition-controlled Upper House rejects it.
The bill allows Japanese warships to open fire at pirate ships to
protect both Japanese and non-Japanese vessels.
Currently, two Japanese destroyers operate in an antipiracy mission
off the coast of Somalia under present law that limits the use of arms for
self-defense and protection to Japanese ships.