(Update) Abe Shows Resolve to Amend Constitution during Term

   Tokyo, March 2 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his resolve on Wednesday to realize constitutional amendments during his term of office.
   "As I campaigned for amending the constitution in the House of Representatives election (in December 2014), I want to achieve that goal," Abe told a meeting of the House of Councillors Budget Committee.
   Abe's current term of office as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party will expire in September 2018.
   Also in the meeting, Abe said that it will be almost impossible for the LDP alone to secure support from two-thirds of both chambers of the Diet, Japan's parliament, to propose a national referendum on constitutional revisions.
   It will be difficult to realize constitutional amendments unless the LDP receives support from its coalition partner, Komeito, and other parties, he said, suggesting he plans to seek cooperation from like-minded lawmakers.

(2016/03/02-18:15)