Abe Reiterates "No Change in Willingness to Amend Constitution" on Constitution Memorial Day

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Prime Minister Shinzo Abe once again expressed his determination to pursue a constitutional amendment to explicitly mention the Self-Defense Forces in Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution ahead of Japan's Constitution Memorial Day (the 3rd). This move revives the issue of constitutional revision, which had stalled due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

According to Kyodo News and foreign media in Japan on the 2nd, Prime Minister Abe included in his greeting message for an event hosted by the conservative "Citizens' Group for Creating the Japanese Constitution," scheduled for Constitution Memorial Day on the 3rd, a statement that "there is no wavering in the determination to amend the constitution."

Regarding the implementation of the revised constitution in 2020, Abe stated, "Unfortunately, it has not yet been realized," but added, "There is absolutely no change in the determination to amend the constitution."

Article 9 of the constitution is the foundation of Japan's pacifist constitution, stipulating the renunciation of war and the non-recognition of the state's right to wage war. Under this provision, Japan holds the right to collective self-defense recognized by the United Nations but does not exercise it.

However, in July 2014, the Abe Cabinet introduced a new constitutional interpretation stating that "in the event of an armed attack on a country closely related to Japan, threatening Japan's existence and posing a clear danger to its people, the exercise of the minimum necessary force is constitutionally permitted."

Subsequently, in September 2015, security legislation was enacted to allow the exercise of collective self-defense rights, effectively nullifying Article 9 of the constitution. In May 2017, Abe announced a constitutional amendment proposal focusing on explicitly recognizing the existence of the Self-Defense Forces, driving forward the constitutional revision effort.

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