Why Give Constitutional Reform Work to a Party That's Against It?

This is a new blow to the prospects for constitutional reform. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has surrendered the chairmanship of the Commission on the Constitution in the Upper House to the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party. As a result, the chairpersons of the Commission on the Constitution in both the Lower House and the Upper House are now members of the CDP, a party that has been consistently reluctant to reform the postwar Constitution of Japan.

This development is highly regrettable. Constitutional reform is a key policy tenet of the LDP. Is Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who is president of the LDP, agreeable to this situation?

Although he has not been given a mandate to remain in office, Ishiba has stated that he will continue as prime minister. He says, "We must fulfill our responsibilities as the largest party in the country." Well, taking the lead on the highly important issue of constitutional reform is certainly one of those responsibilities.

Unfortunately, however, the Prime Minister's words and actions are once again inconsistent.

*Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba answers questions from reporters on July 23, LDP headquarters (©Sankei by Shunsuke Sakamaki).*

Where Things Stand

In the Diet, the chairs of commissions, standing committees, and other bodies are tasked with balancing the interests of the ruling and opposition parties. Even so, in reality, the nature of the debate will change depending on which party leads the body.

It's true that Japan's ruling parties lost their majority in the recent Upper House election. However, if members who were not up for election were counted, the so-called pro-constitutional reform parties maintained the two-thirds majority required to propose a constitutional amendment. Those parties include the LDP, its coalition partner Komeito, Ishin no Kai, and the Democratic Party for the People. Furthermore, good showings by the DPP and Sanseito in the election increased the ranks of supporters of constitutional reform within the Upper House.

In the Lower House, supporters of constitutional reform still number less than two-thirds of all members.

Nevertheless, momentum for constitutional reform has been clearly building. In the Upper House, discussions on the subject also seemed to be making headway. Therefore, it is incomprehensible that the chairmanship of the Commission on the Constitution has been handed over to the CDP, which is so obviously reluctant to amend the Constitution.

*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.*

Why the Constitution Should Be Amended

Amending Article 9 of the Constitution is necessary to ensure Japan's national defense. The LDP and Ishin no Kai are calling for the Self-Defense Forces to be explicitly mentioned in a revised Article 9. As concerns grow about the possibility of major earthquakes, defense contingencies, and other emergencies, the creation of an emergency clause is also urgently needed.

In the Lower House, the LDP, Komeito, Ishin, the DPP, and several other parties all agree that, in such an emergency, the terms of Diet members should be extended. However, the CDP manifesto for the Upper House election stated that "the LDP's proposed amendment to Article 9 would render pacifism meaningless." In fact, it does not even support explicitly mentioning the Self-Defense Forces.

Creating an emergency clause would, among other things, provide for the extension of the terms of Diet members in an emergency. Yet, the CDP rejects the idea, merely arguing that "there is no need to establish such a clause." Without addressing terms, it points to the fact that the Constitution provides for emergency sessions of the Upper House. Then it adds that there are individual laws in place to deal with emergencies.

Thus, although the CDP says it is willing to discuss constitutional reform, it is essentially a party committed to defending the constitutional status quo.

Prime Minister's Responsibility

Prime Minister Ishiba is ultimately the individual responsible for handing over the chairmanship of the Upper House Commission on the Constitution to the CDP. However, other LDP members are responsible along with him. They include Upper House Chairman Masashi Matsuyama, LDP Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Junichi Ishii, and LDP Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama.

These men can hardly be considered true conservative legislators. They should reflect deeply on the abysmal mess they have created.

(Read the editorial in Japanese.)

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun