LDP, JIP, DPFP Seek Emergency Clause in Constitution

Tokyo, May 24 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, and the opposition Democratic Party for the People on Sunday expressed their support for the proposed creation of an emergency clause to extend lawmakers’ terms of office in the event of massive disasters. During an NHK television program, the Centrist Reform Alliance, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito called for careful discussions, saying that many points remain to be discussed regarding whether an emergency clause should be included in the Constitution as part of a planned amendment to the country’s fundamental law. The LDP’s Yoshitaka Shindo said, “If a state of emergency coincides with an election period, how will we run the country?” He also called for allowing the cabinet to issue an emergency ordinance in times of emergencies that would have the same legal force as laws, saying that it would be the last resort for maintaining national functions. JIP’s Nobuyuki Baba said that countries around the world are preparing laws on the assumption of emergencies. DPFP’s Satoshi Asano also proposed that each party advance the discussions. By contrast, CRA’s Kenta Izumi said that there are many key issues to discuss, such as how long to extend the term of office of lawmakers, so it would take a considerable amount of time to work them out. He criticized the proposed emergency ordinance, saying that it would give “a blank check” to the cabinet. Referring to the emergency clause, CDP’s Hiroyuki Konishi said it would fundamentally overturn the basic principles of the Constitution, calling for using an emergency meeting of the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of the Diet, the country’s parliament, instead. Komeito’s Masaaki Taniai said that it is not appropriate to rush in submitting a constitutional amendment proposal by setting a deadline. The Japanese Communist Party’s Taku Yamazoe denounced the emergency clause, saying, “This is a clause to suspend the Constitution and is a concentration of power in the cabinet.” Team Mirai’s Aoi Furukawa said that it would be difficult to win public support for an emergency ordinance. Sanseito’s Masamune Wada said that discussions on establishing an emergency clause and amending pacifist Article 9 of the Constitution should be conducted together. Reiwa Shinsengumi’s Akiko Oishi opposed the discussion of constitutional amendment itself. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]