U.S. welcomes Japan decision on collective self-defense

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense ship JS Hatakaze DDG 171 / Wikipedia Photo

WASHINGTON — The U.S. government praised the Japanese Cabinet’s reinterpretation of the Constitution on Tuesday paving the way for Japan to use its military forces to come to the aid of an ally.

“The White House welcomes the Japanese announcement and policy of collective self-defense,” said Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes, lauding the policy as “part of a continued maturation of (the U.S.-Japan) alliance.”

The policy “creates space for Japan to play an even greater role as a security partner of the United States and as a country that upholds international order,” he added.