Japan to use space program for defense

Japan's parliament yesterday voted to allow the nation's space programs to be used for defense for the first time as part of Tokyo's push to give its military a greater international role.

The law, which allows the military to launch its own satellites for spying and warn of missile launches but rules out offensive weapons in space, was approved by parliament's opposition-controlled upper house, a sign of rare consensus in Japan's divided political arena.

The upper house of parliament approved the legislation with an overwhelming 221-14 vote. The vote followed earlier approval by the lower house, thereby lifting a 1969 ban on military use of outer space.