Japan's ruling coalition has submitted to parliament legislation that would give the government greater powers in case of foreign attack. 

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's cabinet approved the three bills Tuesday sending them on to lawmakers. Conservative politicians, including the prime minister, say that without such laws, Japan might be unable to defend itself. 

Under the proposed laws, the prime minister would have greater powers to retaliate against foreign attacks and to order local authorities to take defensive steps. 

Civilians would be obliged to obey government decisions, including the deployment of Self Defense Forces on their land. Currently, Japan has no laws detailing mobilization in case of attack. Critics say the legislation would undercut civil liberties and go against Japan's post World War II pacifist constitution. 

Some information for this report provided by AP.

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