LDP panel outlines call for stipulating collective self-defense

Japan Policy & Politics, April 4, 2005

TOKYO, April 4 Kyodo

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's panel tasked with drafting a new constitution unveiled Monday a set of outlines compiled by its subcommittees, which call for stipulating Japan's right to collective self-defense in the supreme law, LDP lawmakers said.

The outlines say the second paragraph of Article 9 of the Constitution, which prohibits Japan from maintaining land, sea and air forces, should be thoroughly revised to state that ''forces for self-defense'' should be maintained, the lawmakers said.

With such an expression, Japan would be allowed to exercise the right to collective self-defense under a new constitution.

The outlines also say the forces will contribute to international peace and stability.

Under the government's current interpretation, the supreme law prohibits Japan from exercising the right to collective self-defense, even though it is allowed to do so under international law.

As for the war-renouncing aspect in the first paragraph of Article 9, the outlines say the paragraph will be modified but should include an expression stipulating the principle of pacifism.

They also call for establishing a basic security law and a basic international cooperation law which define specific requirements for Japan in exercising collective self-defense and in participating in collective security missions of the United Nations.

The LDP drafting panel will compile tentative proposals for revising the Constitution by the end of April based on the outlines compiled by the subcommittees, the lawmakers said.

The outlines also call for stipulating the emperor as the symbol of the state in the preamble of the supreme law, forgoing a proposal that the emperor's status will be changed to head of state, the lawmakers said.

They also call for referring to Japan's history, traditions and culture in the section as well as indicating that the new constitution was established by the Japanese people.

The outlines also call for adding references to new rights such as the people's obligation to protect the nation, while proposing easing the separation of politics and religion.

They also propose the maintenance of the Diet's bicameral system, while giving up the idea of setting up a constitutional court.