Controversial security bills passed in Japan's lower house committee amid strong opposition

Opposition lawmakers surround Yasukazu Hamada (2nd, R), chairman of the lower house special committee on security legislation, in Tokyo, Japan, on July 15, 2015. A series of controversial security-related bills proposed by Japan's ruling bloc were rammed through a special committee of Japanese parliament's lower house Wednesday noon, paving the way for a vote for the bills at the full chamber later