The United States welcomes Japan to play a more active role in the region and beyond as reflected in the new defense cooperation guidelines between the two countries that include Japan exercising its "collective self-defense" right, the State Department said Wednesday.

The comment came as public opposition has been growing sharply in Japan to the collective self-defense initiative that empowers Japan to fight alongside its allies even when not under attack itself. The initiative is the centerpiece of the new Guidelines for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation adopted in April.

"We welcome Japan's ongoing efforts to strengthen the Alliance and play a more active role in regional and international security activities, as reflected in our new Guidelines for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation," said Katina Adams, a spokesperson for the State Department's East Asia and Pacific Affairs Bureau.

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party rammed a set of security bills through a parliamentary committee amid strong opposition from other parties. About 60,000 people also rallied in Tokyo Wednesday to protest the legislation.

The spokesperson declined comment on the legislation, saying it is a domestic matter in Japan.

Critics have denounced the collective self-defense right as a precursor to Japan ultimately amending the country's pacifist constitution. South Korea views the move warily as it calls to mind Japan's past militarism amid concerns that the power could be misused. (Yonhap)