 Shii criticizes reports of constitutional research commissions In an interview aired by Asahi Newstar communication satellite TV on April 21, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo commented on the reports of the Constitution Research Commissions in both houses as follows: The report of the House of Representatives Constitution Research Commission set forth the direction of revising Article 9. It points to the revision of Article 9 Section 2 by stating, "Many members did not deny the need to take constitutional measures concerning the right of self defense and the existence of the Self-Defense Forces." The report of the Upper House Research Commission on the Constitution sums up the points discussed regarding the aim of revising the Constitution. It is also intended to gain a foothold for changing Article 9. It is unacceptable to orient the commissions, which are tasked to research the Constitution, to toward constitutional revision. The JCP firmly opposed the reports in both houses. Although pro-constitutional revision forces have the majority in the Diet, there is a wide gulf between the opinion of these forces and the general public. They also have many difficult obstacles to achieving their aims. After the Liberal Democratic, Democratic, and Komei parties compile their drafts for constitutional revision, the Diet will consolidate them for discussion and then conduct a national referendum. No matter how this issue develops, it is necessary to make every effort to form among citizens a majority in opposition to the constitutional revision (Akahata, April 22, 2005). |