Japan Press Weekly

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2013 April 3 - 9 [POLITICS]

Constitution’s perspective of the world is ‘preposterous’?

Hashimoto Toru, co-head of the Japan Restoration Party, on March 30 at the party convention expressed his eagerness for constitutional revision saying that the Japanese Constitution has a “preposterous perspective on the world.”

What Hashimoto criticized as “preposterous” is the preamble of the Constitution stating, “We have determined to preserve our security and existence, trusting in the justice and faith of the peace-loving peoples of the world.”

This statement shows that based on a clear remorse on Japan’s past war of aggression against countries in Asia and the rest of the world, the Japanese people resolve to work together with other nations’ people to achieve lasting peace.

The preamble also states, “We desire to occupy an honored place in an international society striving for the preservation of peace, and the banishment of tyranny and slavery, oppression and intolerance for all time from the earth. [...] We believe that no nation is responsible to itself alone, […].”

This establishes that Japan is determined to turn its attention to the root of conflicts and take a lead in global efforts to establish peace, freedom, and democracy while overcoming poverty.

If Hashimoto regards the Constitution’s view as preposterous, he himself should be criticized as “preposterous.”