Japan: Ruling parties approve reinterpretation of Constitution

<p>Since Japan's defeat in World War II, its military has been shackled by restrictions imposed by a victorious U.S. and that, over time, a majority of Japanese adopted as their own. Now, the shackles are being loosened. Japan's Cabinet on Tuesday approved a reinterpretation of the country's pacifist postwar constitution that will allow the military to help defend allies and others "in a close relationship" with Japan under what is known as "collective self-defense." Previous governments have said the war-renouncing Article 9 of the constitution limited the use of force to defending Japan.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
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