Abe says he intends to change constitution
Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force ships Kurama (R) and Hyuga (L) off Sagami Bay, Japan, on October 14, 2012
AFP
TOKYO —
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the Diet on Thursday that he intends to change the country’s post-World War II constitution, lowering the bar for further amendments.
“I will start with amending Article 96 of the constitution, a move that many factions (inside his Liberal Democratic Party) support,” Abe told upper house lawmakers, referring to the clause stipulating amendments require a two-thirds majority in parliament.
In the run-up to his landslide election victory in December, Abe said he wanted to study the possibility of altering the definition of Japan’s armed forces contained in the document.
The country’s well-funded and well-equipped military is referred to as the Self-Defense Forces, and barred from taking aggressive action. Its role is limited to defencse of the nation.
Abe has said he would like to look into making the SDF a full-fledged military, a plan that sets alarm bells ringing in Asian countries subject to Japan’s brutal occupation in the first half of the 20th century.
U.S. occupying forces imposed the constitution in the aftermath of World War II, but its war-renouncing Article Nine is held dear by many Japanese.
Critics of the current constitution say the article complicates Japan’s right of self-defense as it says “the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes.”
“In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized,” it says.
Abe, a third-generation politician whose grandfather was a World War II cabinet member and became a postwar prime minister, has long agitated for revision.
Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority of lawmakers in both houses, and must be ratified by a referendum, where they can pass with a simple majority of those voting.
The LDP and its junior coalition partner New Komeito have a more than two-thirds majority in the lower house after elections in December, but New Komeito and some factions inside the LDP are cautious about amendments.
The less powerful upper house is controlled by no single party, but the opposition Democratic Party of Japan has the greatest number of seats.
Elections for half of the seats in the upper house must be held later this year.
© 2013 AFP
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20 Comments
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-3
Yubaru
However it doesnt say how far he intends to lower the bar. And considering it is the LDP I am sure he will figure out a way to make it in their favor for now and into the future as well.
If he revises this portion here to something overly ambigious I am quite sure there will be repercussions throughout the region. Let's hope cooler heads prevail. * “the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes.”*
-4
smithinjapan
Can't lower the bar much more than Abe himself is a very low bar, but I guess he's trying to redefine it. Anyway, congrats, people -- you get what you vote for.
1
cubic
No doubt there will be mass hysteria and overreacting about this - Abe will just be putting the Japanese military on an equal footing with any other country. Anyone suspecting him of plotting to invade Asia needs to get their head examined.
0
ReformedBasher
Which countries are alarmed? China and the Koreas? Okay, let me rephrase that. Which normal countries are alarmed?
0
ogtob
Two words: slippery slope.
-2
Wakarimasen
About time
2
GIGOHOME
Abe is in the running for the dumbest leader in the world...right behind Berlusconi and his Mussolini comments.Japan was not removed from the face of the earth only because of the unconditional surrender. Perhaps Abe should read a history book. Just not one printed in Japan. Asia will rise up and crush this silly nation.
1
Alphaape
About time. Next thing they can do is then say maybe the US should leave some of the bases or drawdown some. I thought that is what all of the protestors wanted to get the US to leave Japan. Well, this is the first step, and I say go for it.
Now maybe they can send more ships to the Middle East and help escort oil tankers and other vital interests of Japan.
2
Virtuoso
I might trust a leader with wisdom and integrity to improve upon the current document. Mr. Abe has neither of these qualities.
2
rickyvee
last time i checked, this was a sovereign issue, so who cares what other countries, and commentators, think.
also, it has to pass a referendum by the people. If a majority of japanese people approve it, then it is the will of the people.
0
zichi
The Komeito is opposed to any changes in the constitution.
-1
In_japan
I think this is good move because someday Japan has to stand for itself (again). US can only support Japan for may be next 50-100 yrs (untill Chinese economy will beat US). Right now Japan got money to spend, so lets do it, it will be good investment for future security issues. In past the Japanese troops were brutal but looking at present Japanese people I would say it gonna be okay.
0
crate
This is very worrying. Read the article carefully. Everyone is discussing Article 9 of the constitution - the renunciation of war. But Abe wants to change Article 96 - the clause which specifies what is required to amend the constitution. He wants to first remove the safeguards, such that he and his party can re-write the constitution at will, as if it were a political manifesto.
The LDP published a draft constitution last year. In it, key passages enshrining the right to free speech, the freedom of the press and fundamental human rights are altered. Everyone living here needs to raise their wider awareness of what the LDP plans, and not focus exclusively on Article 9.
1
BertieWooster
It seems that Abe's handlers are pushing to get these changes through as fast as possible before his tummywobbles kick in again and he has to quit.
1
tmarie
So more tax money to prop up the jeitai/military? The rest of the world is just going to "love" this. What else would Abe like to change? This, textbooks, apologies... Not one of these changes is positive for Japan in any shape or measure. He, along with the geriatric population that supports him, is seriously screwing up the future of this country.
-2
mikihouse
Time for Japan to join the world.
2
Disillusioned
There is nothing stopping them doing that now.
I see no reason why they need to change it. Japan can defend themselves from any aggressive country. To me, the only reason they want to change the constitution is so that they can be the aggressor and start swinging their crap around Asia again. I hope I am wrong, but history could very well repeat itself if these changes go through. Abe and his cronies have openly stated they want to return Japan to its former imperialistic self and giving them back control of their military would be a huge mistake!
0
Takumi Saito
Sino-Japan alliance would be a great deal for U.S.
-1
tyvtgo1US
It is time for Japan to once again become a normal power as a country. Actuallyit should have been done earlier and China would not be trying to push Japan around like they have been doing over the last 8 years or so. The US should be in full support of this change as well since China has been reaching out with its power towards all of its neighbors, including Vietnam and Philippines. Japan has a very sophisticated military and it should be used as an asset to Asia instead of letting China dominate everyone by force. China is just geting to be too much of a pain and aggressor!
0
Probie
There is no need to do this.
He will just annoy China and South Korea.
I hope the situation turns sour fast, and he is forced to backpeddle.
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