PM Takaichi Vows to Advance Discussions on Constitutional Revision

Tokyo, May 3 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, vowed to advance discussions on revising the Constitution, in her video message to a meeting of proponents of constitutional revision in Tokyo on Sunday, the country’s Constitution Memorial Day. Takaichi warned against “discussions for the sake of discussions” and called for “discussions for the Diet to make a decision.” Referring to changes in the security environment and demographic dynamics, she stressed the need for regular updates to the Constitution to reflect the needs of the times. At the meeting, Keishi Abe of the Japan Innovation Party, the LDP’s coalition partner, called for revising Article 9, which relates to pacifism, and for creating an emergency clause. Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki proposed setting up a committee to draft constitutional revisions. On the same day, supporters of the current Constitution also held a rally in Tokyo with officials from political parties including the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the Japanese Communist Party and Reiwa Shinsengumi. Tadatomo Yoshida of the CDP said, “The pacifist Constitution, including Article 9, is Japan’s treasure.” JCP leader Tomoko Tamura expressed determination to create “an overwhelming public voice for protecting the Constitution.” Reiwa Shinsengumi secretary-general Joji Yamamoto said, “Let’s oust (Takaichi’s) cabinet seeking to revise the Constitution.” Ruling and opposition party officials also held a television debate on the issue. The debate was recorded on Friday and aired on Sunday. Takeshi Shina, secretary-general of the Centrist Reform Alliance, said that the proposed emergency clause should be discussed alongside restrictions on the authority to dissolve the House of Representatives and measures to smoothly convene an extraordinary Diet session. Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya noted the need to consider a nation that can survive a harsh international environment. Komeito Secretary-General Makoto Nishida expressed the party’s position of adding to the Constitution “what was not assumed when it was established.” Team Mirai policy chief Aoi Furukawa said that careful discussions are necessary for each constitutional provision. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]