Lawmakers surrounded the committee chairman as the vote was passed
Sep. 17, 2015
A controversial bill to expand the role of Japan's armed forces has cleared another hurdle in parliament, but sparked scuffles among lawmakers.
Opposition MPs physically tried to stop the vote in a legislative committee by jostling around the chairman and trying to snatch his paperwork and microphone.
The committee's vote clears the way for the bill to go to the upper house of parliament for final approval.
The opposition says it will continue to try to delay the vote.
The bill would allow Japan to defend its allies overseas even when it is not under attack.
The government is thought to want the bills made law before a five-day holiday begins, and with it the chance for more protests
The bill is not widely supported by the country at large. Thousands of protesters rallied outside the parliament in Tokyo as the committee debate was under way.
Anti-government protests are increasingly drawing a new generation of young demonstrators
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