February 1, 2013

Prime Minster Abe Shinzo at the plenary session of the Lower House on January 30 expressed for the first time in Diet proceedings his intention to amend Article 96 of the Constitution as a first step to subsequent constitutional revision

He said the same thing at the plenary session of the Upper House on the next day.

At the Upper House session, asked about a Liberal Democratic Party’s draft for constitutional revision by LDP member of the House of Councilors Nakasone Hirofumi, Abe stressed, “The draft shows what the Constitution of Japan in the 21st century should look like.”

The Prime Minister’s remarks can be considered constitutionally improper as Article 99 of the Constitution stipulates, “Ministers of State, members of the Diet, judges, and all other public officials have the obligation to respect and uphold this Constitution.”

Appendix:
Article 96 of the Constitution of Japan
Amendments to this Constitution shall be initiated by the Diet, through a concurring vote of two-thirds or more of all the members of each House and shall thereupon be submitted to the people for ratification, which shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of all votes cast thereon, at a special referendum or at such election as the Diet shall specify.
Amendments when so ratified shall immediately be promulgated by the Emperor in the name of the people, as an integral part of this Constitution.