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

JCP Kasai opposes discussion that paves the way for constitutional revision

The House of Representatives Special Commission on Constitutional Research at its executive board meeting on March 7 decided to start discussing points to be considered regarding legislation for a national referendum. The ruling Liberal Democratic and Komei parties and the opposition Democratic Party used their majority to clear the first and major hurdle by pushing ahead with their constitutional revision scheme.

The Japanese Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party opposed the proposal.

The LDP, the Komei Party, and the DPJ are aiming to jointly submit a national referendum bill. They intend to use the discussion to hammer out differences to pave the way for an early drafting of the bill.

JCP representative Kasai Akira stated:

"The JCP has opposed, in each chamber of the Diet of the Special Committee on Constitutional Research that is tasked to discuss the referendum bill, paving the way for accelerating work for the constitutional revision.

Later, the LDP Convention approved its draft of a new constitutional amendment that will delete the second paragraph of Article 9 so that Japan may legally possess a military authorized to use force abroad. The Democratic Party has also made public its draft of constitutional revision toward amending Article 9.

Coupled with the ongoing realignment of the U.S. forces in Japan that will integrate the SDF in overseas operations, these moves show what the referendum bill aims to do.

Given that most board members support the constitutional revision, the panel's debates will be to their advantage toward drafting a referendum bill. LDP member Funada Hajime stated in a public discussion in Osaka, "Constitutional revision is near at hand. The referendum bill is essential in the efforts to push constitutional revision."

However, the majority of the public does not want such a referendum that will adversely revise the Constitution."
-Akahata, March 8, 2006