Japan readies 1,000 troops, naval ships for Philippines relief

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan is preparing to send up to 1,000 troops as well as naval vessels and aircraft to the Philippines to help with disaster relief following Typhoon Haiyan, in what could be Tokyo's biggest postwar military deployment.

The significantly expanded mission comes as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is pushing to ease limits on the military imposed by Japan's postwar, pacifist constitution, and cope with the challenges of China's growing influence in Asia.