Japan Press Weekly

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2018 October 3 - 9 [POLITICS]

Diet should begin discussing constitutional revision: Abe's close aide

Liberal Democratic Party Acting Secretary-General Hagiuda Koichi on October 3, regarding Prime Minister Abe's ambition to revise the Constitution, said, "I think Constitution Commissions in both Houses of the Diet should begin discussing the four-point LDP proposals for constitutional revision which include the adding of the legal status of the Self-Defense Forces to Article 9."

He made this remark in a lecture that he delivered on the day in Tokyo. Apparently, he intends to give momentum to a move toward constitutional amendments with the opening of Diet deliberations.

PM Abe's most trusted confidant Hagiuda is one of the core members of the parliamentarians' organization affiliated with Japan's largest rightist organization Nippon Kaigi (Japan Conference). His remark on October 3 mirrored PM Abe's expressed intent to have the parliamentary commissions advance their discussions on amendments to the supreme law in order to realize the Diet initiation and a national referendum.

However, various opinion polls show that most of the public think that the Diet should not rush to hold discussions on constitutional revision. The LDP-coalition partner Komei Party is taking a guarded stance. Furthermore, the LDP itself is uncertain whether it will be able to submit its bill to an extraordinary session of the Diet as PM Abe sought.

Past related articles:
> Abe reelected as LDP head for 3rd consecutive term, far from public endorsement: Shii [September 21, 2018]
> Majority of general public oppose Abe’s move to revise Constitution [September 23, 2018]