constitution

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Why is LDP eager to change war-renouncing Article 9?
Akahata editorial

In August, the Liberal Democratic Party published its "first draft for a new constitution." In its election platform, the LDP states that it will complete its draft of the Constitution by November 15. Its proposal for a drastic revision of Article 9 has come under criticism, but Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro has only said, "I can't see the point of stating that revision of Article 9 will mean going to war."

By calling only for the privatization of postal services as the only issue in the general election campaign and deliberately sidestepping the issue of constitutional revision, he may want to claim that his proposal for constitutional revision was approved by voters. But this only ridicules the public.

Satisfying U.S. demands

If the prime minister rejects war, he must stand for the defense of the Constitution. He is, however, seeking to change Article 9 in order to enable Japan to do what is now prohibited by the Constitution.

The Koizumi Cabinet has dispatched the Self-Defense Forces to Iraq. They are taking part in U.S. military operations there, including transporting troops and supplies. However, Article 9 has prevented them from participating in combat operations. The U.S. Bush administration is frustrated with this constitutional constraint. In July last year, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage stated that Article 9 is an obstacle to strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance, demanding that Japan get rid of Article 9 and provide the U.S. with full-scale military cooperation.

At the House of Councilors Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting on July 25, 2003, Prime Minister Koizumi said, "If Japan's right of collective self-defense is recognized, it's better to revise the Constitution."

If Japan is constitutionally allowed to exercise the right of collective self-defense, it will fight a war started by its ally, the U.S, even though it has not been attacked. The Japanese government has stated that it is unconstitutional for Japan to exercise the right of collective defense. Revising the Constitution to include the right of collective self-defense will pave the way for Japan's use of force abroad with the U.S. forces.

In fact, the LDP's "first draft constitution" removes all provisions in Article 9: "war renunciation," "non-possession of military potential," and "denial of the right of belligerency." It instead calls for allowing Japan to "maintain self-defense armed forces" that "can be involved in internationally coordinated activities to maintain the peace and security of the world," thus making it possible for Japan to exercise the "right of collective defense."

"Maintaining the peace and security of the international community" is a phrase used in the special measures law on Iraq, meaning that Japan can directly participate in U.S. preemptive wars like the Iraq War. Participation in these wars as the armed forces of a country that has the right of belligerency will involve the use of force.

The revision of Article 9, sought by the LDP, is aimed at making Japan a "war-fighting nation abroad" with the United States. How can one say that Japan will never get into a war, even if Article 9 is amended?

JCP in defense of the Constitution

The position of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is identified with the LDP in that it also seeks to turn Japan into a "war-fighting nation." From the standpoint that Japan can use force abroad provided that it is authorized by a U.N. Security Council resolution, the DPJ's former leader in the Diet demanded that "the Constitution be amended to include a phrase constitutionally establishing self-defense military forces in a new constitution." Calling for "reinforcing the Constitution," the LDP's ruling coalition partner, the Komei Party, also joins with forces for constitutional revision. The Social Democratic Party argues that the vote for the LDP or DPJ will "only help change Article 9," although it is cooperating with the DPJ in the election.

The Japanese Communist Party will maintain the Constitution to prevent Japan from becoming a "war-fighting nation." It is the only "reliable opposition party" opposed to constitutional revision. Let's work together to build a peaceful Japan! -- Akahata, September 9, 2005