Japan's new security laws take effect from today. The laws enable its troops to fight overseas for the first time since World War Two.

The country is now allowed to exercise the right to collective self-defense -- or come to the aid of the United States and other nations under armed attack, even if Japan itself is not.

But many in Japan remain unconvinced by the motives behind the laws. Hundreds of people, including high school students, joined protests across the country over the weekend. A survey conducted by Japan's Kyodo news agency indicates that more than half are not satisfied with the change.