Tokyo  - The cabinet committee of Japan's upper house of parliament on Tuesday approved a bill to lift restrictions on the use of outer space for military purposes, media reports said.

The bill, which is supported by the government and the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan, would allow Japan to develop and operate spy satellites.

While the bill's passage was not expected to be problematic - it was expected in a few weeks - the legislation was controversial because Japan has a pacifist constitution and it would overturn a 1969 parliamentary resolution that restricts the use of space to non-military purposes.

Concerns about Japan's security rose after North Korea test-fired a missile over Japan in 1998, prompting Tokyo to upgrade its military defence shield with the United States. (dpa)