Japan’s parliament has voted to allow the military to fight overseas for the first time since the end of World War Two 70 years ago.

A vote on the new law was delayed for several hours as the opposition tried to stop the measure coming into force.

Outside, demonstrators rallied in a last-ditch show of protest.

Many Japanese are attached to the pacifist provisions in the constitution which banned fighting overseas.

The bills have already passed through the government-dominated lower house.