Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday told an Upper House committee that he is determined to get new bills on national security enacted during the current parliament session.
The prime minister said the government should be prepared for every possibility when it comes to national security, NHK news agency reported.
He said the government-sponsored legislation is vital for protecting peace and the people of Japan.
Abe said the bills need to be enacted as soon as possible.
Toshimi Kitazawa of the opposition Democratic Party said that various recent surveys show that 60 percent of the Japanese people are against the bills, while 30 percent support them.
Kitazawa, a former defence minister, said 80 percent are opposed to the parliament approving the bills during the current session.
He asked if the will of the people is not one of the most important factors in making political decisions.
Abe replied that the best thing would be to win the people's understanding and support for the bills.
He said that the results of the surveys are as Kitazawa described, but that he wants lawmakers to approve the bills after they have conducted sufficient deliberations.
