TOKYO - JAPAN'S parliament was on Friday set to pass an anti-piracy law that will allow the country's military wider scope to use force and protect foreign-flagged ships off Somalia, officials said.

Japan in March joined the United States, China and other countries in the maritime operation against pirates who have attacked ships in the Gulf of Aden, a key maritime route leading to the Suez Canal.

The new government-sponsored bill would widen their rules of engagement and allow them to fire at the hulls of pirate vessels - but not at the pirates themselves - after repeated warnings and as a last resort.

The new bill would also allow the Maritime Self-Defence Force to protect any commercial ships threatened by pirates, not just those sailing under the Japanese flag or carrying Japanese nationals or cargo.

Japan's lower house first passed the bill in April, but the opposition-controlled upper house early on Friday rejected it after lawmakers there voiced concern about expanding Japan's military reach.

However, the lower house, which can override upper house vetos on certain bills, was expected to turn the bill into law late on Friday.

The opposition, led by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), has called for a revision to the bill to strengthen the role of the coast guard instead of the military in anti-piracy activities in waters far from Japan.

Conservative Prime Minister Taro Aso, who faces an election this year, has strongly promoted the bill, arguing Japan should play a greater role in international security.

The premier has also said security of maritime transport is vitally important for Japan, a resource-poor island country that draws much of its energy needs from the Middle East.

In addition to two destroyers, with some 400 crew, Japan last month also dispatched two maritime surveillance aircraft and scores of military personnel to beef up its anti-piracy mission. -- AFP