Japan Press Weekly

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2013 April 10 - 16 [POLITICS]

LDP spokesman calls on public to vote for Article 96 revision with changing Article 9 as goal

Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Ishiba Shigeru on a TV program aired on April 13 said that the public, in a Constitution-related referendum, should keep in mind that an amendment to Article 96 of the Constitution will directly be linked to a change in the war renouncing Article 9.

The LDP spokesperson pointed to the probability that relaxing the procedural rules for constitutional revision set under Article 96 will lead to changing Article 9.

Article 96 stipulates, “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.”

On the program, ex-Defense Minister Ishiba stated that his party will make a commitment to revising Article 96 in the Upper House Election this coming summer.

In regard to military threats from North Korea, the military hawk said that if North Korea launches missiles whether to Guam or to Japan, that will be the start of war.

He added, “Even if Japan does not suffer any damage, the use of Japan’s right to self-defense will be implemented.”

Taking advantage of North Korea’s alleged threat, Ishiba suggested the need to change Article 9 which renounces Japan’s war potential and the right to belligerence.