The bill was approved by two committees of the Liberal Democratic Party, paving the way for government approval later this month, a party official said.

The bill would let the chief of Japan's Defense Agency order the interception of a missile without approval of the cabinet or informing parliament.

It would also streamline the organization of the military, known as the Self-Defense Forces, to put the army, navy and air force under a unified command of a Joint Staff.

Japan renounced war in its constitution imposed by the United States after defeat in World War II and officially does not have a military or defense ministry.

But there have been worries that Japan would waste too much time in administrative procedures before reacting to an attack, as a missile fired from North Korea would reach the country in 10 minutes.

North Korea provoked an international outcry in 1998 by firing a missile over Japan, in what the Stalinist state claimed was a satellite launch.

Defense Agency head Yoshinori Ono said that despite the incoming law, open communication remained important.

A missile attack "has to be reported to the Cabinet as it is a matter of great concern among the people," Ono told reporters.

"We will also have to explain it clearly to the people in parliament," he said.

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