Two national security laws allowing Japan’s Self Defense Force (SDF) to defend allies and provide non-combat support came into effect on Tuesday, a move which could affect the likelihood of Japanese participation in potential conflicts on the Korean Peninsula.

The collective security laws reverse long running constitutional legislation which prevented Japan from offensive military action. The new laws were passed last year but were only enacted yesterday.

Article nine of Japan’s 1946 constitution, written during the 1945-52 U.S. occupation of the country following the Second World War, states that the “Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right.”

“(Previously),