China has urged Japan to adopt a careful attitude regarding issues in the military and security field, amid Tokyo’s recent move to introduce controversial bills for the potential deployment of troops on foreign soil.

Speaking at a regular press conference on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei said Asian countries and the international community closely monitor Japan’s moves in the military and security fields.

“We have noted that inside Japan there is an increasing wave of opposition to the new security bill,” Hong said.

“It is hoped that the Japanese government can earnestly heed the calls for justice from inside Japan and from the international community, truly learn from historical lessons, stick to the path of peaceful development, act with caution in the military and security field, and do more things that are conducive to peace and stability of the region,” he added.

Pushing through despite opposition

The remarks came after Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Thursday pushed a set of controversial security bills through a legislative committee despite refusal by the opposition.

Japan’s parliament on Friday was expected to pass the security bills, which will allow the Japanese army to fight on foreign soil for the first time since World War II.

Public anger has been rising on an unprecedented scale over the bills in the past days as tens of thousands of Japanese people took to the streets several times to express opposition.

A demonstrator holds placards in protest against the security bills introduced by the administration of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Tokyo, September 18, 2015. (Photo by AFP)

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling coalition and opposition lawmakers remain at loggerheads over the issue.

The bills, which aim to increase Japan’s military influence, were ratified by the lower house of parliament on July 16.

The Japanese prime minister and his supporters argue that the bills are necessary to deal with a changing security environment and threats posed by regional countries that are expanding their military and nuclear capabilities. Opponents, however, say the bills threaten Japan’s pacifist image and that the revisions will change its 1945 constitution, which prohibits Tokyo from combat except in self-defense.