EPA
There have been a series of delays to a final vote on legislation to expand the role of Japan's military abroad.
Opposition parties have introduced several censure motions against ministers and parliamentary leaders, delaying the vote all day.
The government will want to hold the vote before a five-day holiday begins on Saturday.
If it does not, it is thought that already-large protests against the bills could get larger.
The legal changes would allow Japanese troops to fight overseas for the first time since World War Two.
The legislation is expected to pass, despite opposition inside and outside parliament, as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition controls the House of Councillors.
The bills have already passed through the government-dominated lower house.
On Thursday, opposition politicians tried to physically delay proceedings ahead of a committee vote on the bills.
What is collective self-defence?
Japan's post-World War Two constitution bars it from using force to resolve international conflicts except in cases of self-defence.
Mr Abe's government has pushed for security legislation that would allow Japan's military to mobilise overseas when these three conditions are met:
- when Japan is attacked, or when a close ally is attacked, and the result threatens Japan's survival and poses a clear danger to people
- when there is no other appropriate means available to repel the attack and ensure Japan's survival and protect its people
- use of force is restricted to a necessary minimum
The bills have prompted large public protests for months.
The changes re-interpret rather than formally change the constitution. But critics say this will violate the pacifist constitution and could lead Japan into unnecessary US-led wars abroad.
AFP
Reuters
Speaking in parliament on Friday, Akira Gunji, of the opposition Democratic party, said: "We should not allow such a dangerous government to continue like this. Prime Minister Abe's security bill is a threat to our legal framework."
Supporters of the measures, which are backed by Washington, insist they are essential for the defence of Japan and its regional allies, and will permit greater involvement in peacekeeping activities around the world.
Principles in practice
What kinds of military actions would the laws allow?
- Japan would be able to provide logistical support to South Korea if the North invaded, though Mr Abe has said it would still be against the constitution to send Japanese troops to fight on Korean soil.
- It would be legal for Japan to shoot down a North Korean missile headed for the US. Currently, they have to threaten Japan to justify shooting them down. North Korea is thought to be several years from being able to hit mainland US targets though.
- Military action to keep shipping lanes secure, such as minesweeping, even if in an active conflict zone, might be allowed if the restriction on shipping was severe enough to constitute a threat to Japan's survival. But there have been different answers on how severe that restriction would have to be - especially relevant for resource-poor Japan. The deputy leader of the Mr Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Masahiko Komura, has said that relatively minor problems like an oil price increase would not be enough - there would have to be a clear danger to people in Japan.
- Armed involvement in hostage rescues would also become possible. In January 2013, 10 Japanese hostages were killed at the Amenas gas plant in Algeria.
- Regional limits on Japanese military support for US and other foreign armed forces would also be eliminated.
Critics have focussed on what they say is ambiguity in how the principles of the legislation will be interpreted, and the possibility that future governments will interpret them more broadly.
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