- 14 Mar 2002
- 21,050
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PM Takaichi has pushed for constitutional revision from the outset of her administration, continuing one of the central political goals associated with her mentor, the late PM Abe. Takaichi supports constitutional revision for several interconnected reasons, most of them tied to security policy, national sovereignty, and long-standing conservative goals within Japan's ruling LDP.
The central issue is Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, the so-called' pacifist clause', which renounces war and formally rejects the maintenance of 'war potential'. Conservatives within the LDP have argued for decades that the post-war Constitution, drafted during the Allied occupation, no longer reflects Japan's geopolitical situation.
She has repeatedly argued that Japan faces a much more dangerous regional environment than it did when the Constitution came into force in 1947. In particular, she points to China's growing military presence around Taiwan and the Senkaku Islands, North Korea's missile and nuclear programmes, and uncertainty over how reliable long-term US security guarantees may be in the future. She also argues that Japan needs to respond more flexibly during regional crises.
One of the main goals of constitutional revision is to explicitly recognise the Japan Self-Defence Forces in the Constitution. Japan already has one of the world's most advanced militaries, but Article 9 formally renounces the use of armed force, leaving the legal status of the Self-Defence Forces somewhat ambiguous. Takaichi and other conservatives argue that this contradiction should be clarified.
She has also supported the addition of emergency powers clauses to the Constitution. Supporters say these would allow the government to respond more effectively during situations such as military attacks, major natural disasters or cyberattacks. Critics, however, warn that such powers could weaken civil liberties and reduce parliamentary oversight.
I want to start this thread to discuss and to list sources and updates on the debate.
Here is a short piece by the BBC's new Tokyo correspondent, Mori Kurumi:
www.bbc.com
And a testimony to the fact that many Japanese do oppose any revision to Japan's pacifist Constitution:
www.theguardian.com
The central issue is Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, the so-called' pacifist clause', which renounces war and formally rejects the maintenance of 'war potential'. Conservatives within the LDP have argued for decades that the post-war Constitution, drafted during the Allied occupation, no longer reflects Japan's geopolitical situation.
She has repeatedly argued that Japan faces a much more dangerous regional environment than it did when the Constitution came into force in 1947. In particular, she points to China's growing military presence around Taiwan and the Senkaku Islands, North Korea's missile and nuclear programmes, and uncertainty over how reliable long-term US security guarantees may be in the future. She also argues that Japan needs to respond more flexibly during regional crises.
One of the main goals of constitutional revision is to explicitly recognise the Japan Self-Defence Forces in the Constitution. Japan already has one of the world's most advanced militaries, but Article 9 formally renounces the use of armed force, leaving the legal status of the Self-Defence Forces somewhat ambiguous. Takaichi and other conservatives argue that this contradiction should be clarified.
She has also supported the addition of emergency powers clauses to the Constitution. Supporters say these would allow the government to respond more effectively during situations such as military attacks, major natural disasters or cyberattacks. Critics, however, warn that such powers could weaken civil liberties and reduce parliamentary oversight.
I want to start this thread to discuss and to list sources and updates on the debate.
Here is a short piece by the BBC's new Tokyo correspondent, Mori Kurumi:
Why is Japan rethinking its anti-war stance?
Japan's PM is pushing to revise country's pacifist constitution - and it's causing controversy.
www.bbc.com
And a testimony to the fact that many Japanese do oppose any revision to Japan's pacifist Constitution:
Japan sees largest protest in support of pacifist constitution as PM Takaichi pushes revisions
Japanese leader Sanae Takaichi has called for discussions to revise the constitution, saying it should ‘reflect the demands of the times’
