Scuffles break out between Japanese MPs during controversial pacifism vote

Japanese MPs have thrown punches at each other during a controversial vote on pacifism.

Opposition lawmakers aggressively intervened as a bill to expand the role of the country's armed force cleared a major hurdle.

It seeks to allow Japan to use its military overseas even when it is not directly under attack. At present the nation's constitution only permits uses of force in cases of self-defence.

In rare scenes, MPs tried to physically stop the vote this morning by mobbing the chairman and trying to snatch away his microphone.

The bill has already been approved by Japan's lower house and is expected to pass through the upper house, where it is set to go next. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government has a majority in both houses.

Outside of parliament the proposals are widely unpopular, with polls consistently showing the majority of the public are opposed to the changes