Japan's role in the event of a Korean Peninsula contingency would be to provide "logistical support" even if the country's controversial new security legislation passes through parliament, the country's military chief said Thursday.

Adm. Katsutoshi Kawano, chief of the Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, made the remark during a discussion at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, saying the security bill is aimed at strengthening the alliance with the U.S.

"In that instance, through our consultations with the United States or South Korea, what we would be capable of doing would be to provide logistical support," Kawano said through an interpreter.

"And even if the security legislation is passed by the Diet (parliament), that framework, the basic framework would remain the same."

The security legislation is the hottest political issue in Japan as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has tried to ram it through parliament despite strong objections from opposition parties. Public opposition to the legislation has also grown sharply, with tens of thousands of people holding large-scale rallies in Tokyo.

The LDP unilaterally passed the legislation in the lower house on Wednesday in a vote boycotted by opposition parties. It has to pass the upper house to become law.

The legislation centers on Japan exercising its "collective self-defense" right that empowers the country to fight alongside its allies even when not under attack itself. The initiative was the centerpiece of the new Guidelines for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation adopted in April.

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

Kawano declined specific comment on the legislation as it is under parliamentary deliberations. Still, he sought to dispel concern about Japan's expanding military roles in the region and beyond.

"I can say that the reason why the Japanese government has submitted this bill to the Japanese Diet is not to unleash military power, unrestrained military force, but it's to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance," he said. (Yonhap)