(VOVworld) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday that the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) could provide logistic aid to foreign militaries in the Middle East and the Indian Ocean, within the framework of the new security bill. This is the first time Mr. Abe has released such a statement detailing on SDF’s providence of logistical support such as ammunition and fuel to foreign troops. During debate on the bills in the Lower House, Abe said that if a situation is believed to have a potentially serious impact on Japan’s peace and security, the SDF could conduct refueling missions and provide ammunition to foreign forces engaged in combat far from Japan.

Earlier, on May 14, the Japanese cabinet had agreed on many bills which will create dramatic changes on its security policy, whereby SDF’s operations will be further expanded to oversea. This is considered one of Japan’s major security policy changes after World War II.