prior approval before engaging in a combat situation should an emergency arise on the

Korean peninsula. The Japanese leader was speaking in parliament

on Tuesday. Prior approval is needed under the Tokyo-Washington

security pact when dispatching U.S. troops for combat.

Abe also defended his controversial push to expand his country's military role saying

it is limited in scope. He said Tokyo would require a formal constitutional

amendment to engage in collective self-defense similar to that of other countries.