Japan House of Representatives Constitutional Review Committee Approves 'National Referendum Act Amendment'... Increased Likelihood of Plenary Session Submission Next Month

Liberal Democratic Party Intends to Submit to House of Councillors Plenary Session After House of Representatives Vote on the 11th
Public Opinion Shows High Need for Constitutional Amendment... Abe's Resistance to 'Normal Country Capable of War' Also Weakens

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The ruling and opposition parties in Japan have effectively agreed on the revision of the National Referendum Act, accelerating discussions on constitutional amendment.

On the 6th, the Constitutional Review Committee of Japan's House of Representatives put the revision bill of the National Referendum Act to a vote, which was passed with the support of members from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito. Toshihiro Nikai, the LDP Secretary-General, met with the Secretary-General of the largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, and agreed to process the revision bill in both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors by June 16.

With the passage of the revision bill on this day, the LDP is expected to hold a vote in the House of Representatives on the 11th and then submit the bill to the plenary session of the House of Councillors. If it passes the plenary session of the House of Councillors, the bill will come into effect. The Japanese Constitution stipulates that constitutional amendments can be proposed by the Diet with a two-thirds majority in both houses and approved by a majority in a national referendum, but it does not specify the detailed procedures.

As the revision bill has gained support from the largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, it is expected that constitutional amendment discussions will intensify within the Diet after the plenary session approval. This revision is the second to expand voters' opportunities in national referendums since the voting age was lowered to 18 in 2014. In 2018, the LDP, together with Komeito and the Japan Innovation Party, submitted a revision bill, but it was delayed without passing the review stage.

The reason the largest opposition party has supported the revision bill is interpreted as a result of successive public opinion polls and a weakening of public resistance to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's proposal for a constitutional amendment to enable Japan to become a "war-capable nation."

According to a previous Asahi Shimbun poll, 45% responded that constitutional amendment is necessary, while 44% opposed it, a 2 percentage point decrease compared to last year's survey. The Mainichi Shimbun survey also showed 48% in favor of amendment, significantly ahead of 31% opposed. The Yomiuri Shimbun poll recorded 56% support for amendment and 40% opposition.

Moreover, resistance to former Prime Minister Abe's "normal country theory" is also weakening. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, during the Constitution Memorial Day event on the 3rd, remarked that parts of the current constitution, which has been in place for over 70 years, are no longer suitable for the times and that revision is necessary. He also stated that passing the revision bill of the National Referendum Act in the Diet would be the first goal to advance constitutional amendment discussions.

The LDP has already prepared specific provisions for a "normal country" capable of war. The LDP has proposed four items, including explicitly stating the Self-Defense Forces in the constitution, strengthening state authority during disasters, and establishing an emergency situation clause that could restrict individual freedoms.

However, although the revision bill of the National Referendum Act will invigorate constitutional amendment discussions, the overall outlook remains uncertain. This is because the coalition partner Komeito maintains a cautious stance on constitutional amendment, the largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, is not actively supportive, and above all, with the general election approaching and victory not guaranteed, it will not be easy for the LDP to push through its position.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.