LDP, Ishin Must Lead to Swiftly Reform the Constitution

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The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Ishin) have convened the first meeting of their joint "Constitutional Amendments Drafting Committee." Next, the committee will draft provisions for amending Article 9 of the Constitution and establishing an "emergency clause" to enable the government to respond appropriately in cases of national emergency. This is in line with the coalition agreement between the two parties.

It is of great significance that the LDP and Ishin have begun work on a draft of proposed revisions. Both parties favor constitutional reform, and their effort should also increase momentum for actual constitutional reform.

Regarding changes to Article 9, the LDP is calling for the Self-Defense Forces to be explicitly mentioned. Meanwhile, in September, Ishin no Kai proposed deleting Article 9, Clause 2, which stipulates "non-possession of war potential." That would allow Japan to fully exercise its right of collective self-defense.

Ishin also wants the article to explicitly state that Japan enjoys the right of self-defense and officially recognizes the existence of a national defense force.

Bringing Like-minded Views Together

The emphasis of the two parties differs somewhat. However, originally the LDP favored changes like those now proposed by Ishin. In fact, the "Draft Amendments to the Constitution of Japan," approved by the LDP in 2012, provided for a complete revision of Article 9, Paragraph 2. That version would explicitly state that Japan has the right to defend itself. The 2012 draft also proposed the creation of a new "Article 9, Clause 2," which would provide for the maintenance of a national defense force.

*LDP President Sanae Takaichi and Ishin no Kai leader Hirofumi Yoshimura sign the coalition agreement at the National Diet Building on October 20. (©Sankei by Ataru Haruna)*.

The LDP and Ishin no Kai should get together for vigorous discussions and come up with the most desirable proposals. It is important that they then jointly convince the public why the amendments are necessary.

The same thing holds true for the emergency clause. Concern is growing about large-scale disasters and emergencies, such as a major earthquake in the Nankai Trough or an earthquake directly beneath the capital. More than ever, the creation of an emergency clause is becoming an urgent issue.

The LDP and Ishin share this concern and favor the establishment of provisions for extending the terms of Diet members in an emergency. Their proposals would also include issuing emergency government ordinances in such an event.

Leading the Process to Protect the People

Before leaving the previous coalition with the LDP, Komeito had adopted a cautious stance regarding empowering the national government to issue emergency ordinances. The new coalition should now go ahead and draft those clauses for the protection of the Japanese people.

Meanwhile, the Research Commission on the Constitution in the Lower House has held its first meeting of executive committee members during this Diet session. The LDP's Hajime Funada is the top member among the ruling parties within the commission. Recently, he told reporters that he intends to propose an amendments drafting committee within the commission at the pan-partisan meeting of executives scheduled for November 27.

*Post-war Constitution of Japan is the only constitution in the world that has never been amended since its adoption during the occupation of Japan.*

The coalition agreement also calls for working together for the establishment of drafting committees in both the Lower and the Upper houses. Both the LDP and Ishin should urge other parties to support establishing these drafting committees.

Up to now, work within the constitutional review commissions of both the Lower and the Upper House has moved at a snail's pace. Japanese politics needs to embark on a new stage by swiftly drafting a constitutional amendment.

Hopefully, the LDP and Ishin no Kai will assume leading roles in bringing that about.