Constitution Day

It is the Constitution Day. National Holidays Act prescribes that it is the day for commemorating enactment of the Constitution of Japan and expecting growth of the nation. While the conservative lawmakers try to push forward the discussion for amendment of the Constitution, the liberal powers are careful for it, questioning legitimacy for arguing amendment of the Liberal Democratic Party, which has been involved in the slush fund scandal. Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, still cannot find the way to implement his campaign promise for LDP president in 2021 that he would achieve the amendment within his term expiring September.

A poll conducted by Kyodo News showed that 33% of responders thought the amendment needed to be accelerated, while 65% answered that it needed not to be accelerated. 72% expected to put priority on reaching a broader consensus including the parties careful for the amendment. 24% thought that the willing parties should start making a draft.

 

Do they think that the amendment necessary? 75% approved, or relatively approved, the amendment, while 23% disapproved, or relatively disapproved. But, only 31% thought the motivation for the amendment was getting high, below the half of whom recognizing the motivation was not high, which marked 67%. Although the Constitution should be amended, but it should not be done now. That seems to be the average attitude toward the Constitution.

 

Each party issued a statement for the Constitution Day. LDP upholds four points for the amendment – adding emergency clause, writing down the existence of self-defense force, no joint district between prefectures in elections of the Upper House, and enhancement of education. LDP’s coalition partner, Komeito, argues that exclusively defense-oriented policy should be maintained.

 

The largest opposition party, Constitutional Democratic Party, appeals that the amendment is not for the ruling power to reinforce its regime or to accumulate political achievement. LDP cannot be reliable because it has been violating even a law, receiving secret fund for a long time.

 

Japan Innovation Party hopes to accelerate the discussion, upholding education for free, governmental reform, establishment of the constitutional court, adding clause of self-defense force and emergency. Japan Communist Party accuses of Kishida administration of its policy changes for possessing capability for striking enemy’s bases, doubling defense budget and exporting lethal weapons, firmly opposing to the amendment.

 

LDP, Komeito and JIP focus on emergency clause for the time being, which allows extension of postponing expiration of the members’ term of the Diet in the wake of emergency.

 

However, it is notable that there already is an emergency clause in the Constitution. “The Cabinet may in time of national emergency convoke the House of Councillors in emergency session,” says Article 54. The Diet can pass a bill with approval of the Upper House, even when the Lower House is dissolved. And Article 59 determines that the Diet can pass a bill without approval of the Upper House, when the Lower House gives approval of two-third majority.