The Hindu : International : Abe regime moves to amend pacifist Constitution

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
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International

Abe regime moves to amend pacifist Constitution

P. S. Suryanarayana

House passes bill to facilitate referendums on changes

SINGAPORE: Clearing the decks for possible moves to amend Japan's pacifist Constitution, the upper House of Diet, the country's Parliament, has passed a bill to facilitate national referendums on changes to the basic statute. The controversial legislation, which will go into force in 2010, was endorsed by the lower House last month.

With this, the stage is now set for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to pursue the path of constitutional reforms that he had pledged to effect as one of his political priorities.

The MacArthur-era Constitution, imposed on Japan by the United States at the end of the Second World War, has not been revised so far.

A key campaign theme of those wanting constitutional changes is the abrogation or revision of Article 9 that restrains Japan from resorting to war as an option in emergencies and imposes restrictions on the country's military profile.

Voting age reduced

The argument being advanced against this Article is that it prevents Japan from properly aiding its military ally, the U.S., and from participating fully in the United Nations-mandated peace-keeping operations.

The enacted bill stipulates that national referendums could be held only on constitutional changes.

The voting age for these exercises would be reduced to 18 years from 20. Campaign norms, including do's and don'ts for civil servants and professionals such as teachers, have also been set.

The bill was approved by 122 to 99 votes in the upper House.

This was in tune with the strength of the ruling coalition, consisting of Mr. Abe's Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner, New Komeito, which is nonetheless opposed to any move to scrap or erode the spirit of Article 9.

The main Opposition Democratic Party of Japan voted against the bill, objecting primarily to the idea of limiting referendums to constitutional revisions despite the perceived need for other changes too.

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