A panel of the Lower House of Japan's parliament approved a bill today allowing Japan's military to provide non-combat support to the US-led retaliatory attacks.
The clearance sets the stage for approval by the full lower chamber later this week.
The legislation, which clarifies the role Japan's military could play in the operations without violating the nation's pacifist constitution, was adopted despite objections by the main opposition Democratic Party.
Ruling party lawmakers have said they hope to have Lower House approval before Prime Minister Mr Junichiro Koizumi heads to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit on October 20th and 21st in Shanghai, and to enact the bill by the end of the month.