According to Japanese lawmakers, the opposition Liberal Democratic Party is considering legislation that would add territorial policing to the responsibilities of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, following the recent dispute with China over the Senkaku Islands. The legislation would empower the naval force to respond to territorial violations by foreign aircraft and ships. Under current law, the Self-Defense Force can only respond to armed attacks against Japan or domestic unrest. Maritime disputes are not over, and the Japanese are adding naval firepower to their side for future incidents. The ruling coalition led by the Democratic Party has not commented.

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