The 1947 war-renouncing constitution of Japan forbids the use of force as a means of settling international disputes and also prohibits Japan from maintaining an army, navy or air force.

After the end of World War II in 1945, Japan, who started the war and invaded a number of Asian countries, was requested to process the demilitarization under the supervision of the United States.

The resolution adopted by the Japanese cabinet sets three new conditions that would enable the exercise of the collective self-defense right, such as when there are "clear dangers" to the lives of its people and their rights due to armed attacks on Japan or "countries with close ties."

It will enable Japan to take military action to defend other countries even though the nation itself is not under attack, leaving the war-renouncing Article 9 of the country's constitution scrapped.