LDP’s New Vision Says Constitutional Revision “Critically Needed”

Tokyo, April 10 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party unveiled its new policy vision on Friday, recognizing the party’s goal of revising the Constitution as “critically needed” to respond to the changing international order. The new vision states that Japan must create a Constitution with its own hands and together with its people and show what kind of nation it aims to become. The party compiled the new vision to mark the 70th anniversary last year of its founding. It will be formally announced at a party convention on Sunday. Referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the new vision acknowledges that Japan is not in a position where it can place full trust in “the justice and faith of the peace-loving peoples of the world,” as outlined in the preamble of the current Constitution. It highlights the need to develop the capabilities necessary to prepare for a national existential crisis. The LDP maintains freedom, democracy and conservatism as its core philosophy and values, adding that it rejects attitudes such as calling for radical changes and excluding different opinions, which have grown in recent years. The party vows to pursue responsible politics without being extreme, noting that it has attracted broad-based support because of its refusal to represent a certain class or ideology. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]