Japan's lower house on Friday passed a bill to allow the country's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to carry out rescue transportation of Japan and foreign nationals by land during emergencies abroad.

The bill, which crafted in response to the Algerian hostage crisis that killed 10 Japanese national early this year, will be sent to the upper house for approval.

The revised law will also allow the SDF to transport relatives and colleagues of Japanese nationals caught in trouble abroad, as well as government officials and medical staff in rescue missions.

The current SDF law only permits the forces to transport Japanese nationals overseas only by sea and air. Endi

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