Discussion on Constitutional Amendment Slows Down

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Japan Innovation Party (JIP) made no progress in constitutional amendment during the extraordinary session of the Diet in this fall. Although those two parties agreed on accelerate their discussion for changing Article 9, the LDP is reluctant to implement it. JIP is so ambitious to promote their conservative agenda that the LDP became careful about the negative impact on their administration.

 

The LDP-JIP agreement for forming a coalition just before Sanae Takaichi Cabinet embarked on October described that both parties would establish a discussion body for adding “emergency clause,” which enable to extend the term of Diet member in emergency such as great earthquake or military invasion, in the Constitution of Japan during the extraordinary session. The discussion body had some meetings during the session.

 

The JIP rather focuses on changing Article 9, which is the core of pacifist Japan renouncing war as a measure of settling international conflicts, to enable Japan to actively use its force. The party advocates deleting Section 2 of Article 9 that prohibits possession of military force, and proposes Japanese government to have a “national defense force.” The JIP became vigorous on constitutional amendment after it formed a coalition with the LDP.

 

In the discussion of the extraordinary session, JIP Secretary General, Fumitake Fujita, asked Prime Minister Takaichi whether she thought that the cabinet could submit a draft of constitutional amendment. Takaichi answered that she could do that. While the constitution provides that the initiative of constitutional amendment is made with two-third majority of both chambers, it also allows the cabinet to submit a bill to the Diet, which allegedly includes a draft of constitutional amendment. Takaichi meant that her cabinet can do it, based on the latter provision.

 

However, the coalition of LDP and JIP possesses two-third majority in neither House. Even how they hope to promote constitutional amendment, they cannot take the initiative for a national referendum on constitutional amendment. Even if the Democratic Party for the people joins the coalition parties, it will not fulfill the necessary majority. Knowing that situation, the LDP is not optimistic in the process of constitutional amendment.

 

It is crucial for the LDP to keep support of JIP for Takaichi administration. Constitutional amendment is one of the core policies of JIP as a highly conservative party. As some opposition parties have been threatening the LDP with ultra-conservative policies in the current elections, the leading coalition is in need of promoting some conservative agenda to appeal to the voters.

 

Other liberal opposition parties are opposing radical change of the constitution, making the amendment difficult for the leading parties. As long as JIP pushes its own idea for new constitution, discussion for the amendment is not likely to make further progress. 

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