The Yomiuri Shimbun
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed strong enthusiasm for amending the Constitution at a Liberal Democratic Party convention Wednesday, saying: "The Constitution shapes the country and its framework. I'd like to go back to the spirit of when the party was first founded and work on the revision of the Constitution."
Abe, who also is the LDP president, added, "I hope discussions with the other parties at the ordinary Diet session will see progress regarding a national referendum bill designed to set procedures for the revision."
At the party convention held at a Tokyo hotel, Abe emphasized the need to beat opposition parties in the upcoming elections. "We have unified local elections and by-elections in April, and then comes the House of Councillors election that will decide the fate of politics. We'll fight these battles fairly and proudly announce to people the course we're hoping to pursue. By doing that, we'll definitely win," he said.
New Komeito leader Akihiro Ota and Fujio Mitarai, chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren ), attended the convention as guests.
The party policy for 2007, adopted at the convention, includes the creation of a beautiful country and a society that offers second chances--both promoted by Abe--and promises victory in the regional elections and the upper house election.
Revision of the Constitution was stated as one of the most important issues. As objectives, the policy calls for the national referendum bill to be put into effect as early as possible and a system to invite public opinion on the constitutional revision.
Other important issues include the reorganization of government ministries and agencies, educational reform, dismantling the Social Insurance Agency and reforming the civil service.
At the opening of the convention, Abe took a large ink brush and wrote "Nippon" (Japan) on a signboard, following letters written by calligrapher Nangaku Kawamata that read, "Utsukushii kuni" (Beautiful country).
(Jan. 18, 2007)
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed strong enthusiasm for amending the Constitution at a Liberal Democratic Party convention Wednesday, saying: "The Constitution shapes the country and its framework. I'd like to go back to the spirit of when the party was first founded and work on the revision of the Constitution."
Abe, who also is the LDP president, added, "I hope discussions with the other parties at the ordinary Diet session will see progress regarding a national referendum bill designed to set procedures for the revision."
At the party convention held at a Tokyo hotel, Abe emphasized the need to beat opposition parties in the upcoming elections. "We have unified local elections and by-elections in April, and then comes the House of Councillors election that will decide the fate of politics. We'll fight these battles fairly and proudly announce to people the course we're hoping to pursue. By doing that, we'll definitely win," he said.
New Komeito leader Akihiro Ota and Fujio Mitarai, chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren ), attended the convention as guests.
The party policy for 2007, adopted at the convention, includes the creation of a beautiful country and a society that offers second chances--both promoted by Abe--and promises victory in the regional elections and the upper house election.
Revision of the Constitution was stated as one of the most important issues. As objectives, the policy calls for the national referendum bill to be put into effect as early as possible and a system to invite public opinion on the constitutional revision.
Other important issues include the reorganization of government ministries and agencies, educational reform, dismantling the Social Insurance Agency and reforming the civil service.
At the opening of the convention, Abe took a large ink brush and wrote "Nippon" (Japan) on a signboard, following letters written by calligrapher Nangaku Kawamata that read, "Utsukushii kuni" (Beautiful country).
(Jan. 18, 2007)
