Constitution Day

Japan is deeply divided over the Constitution. There are the people who think the constitution should be amended, because it has become obsolete in various ways in the world. Some of them denounce the Constitution as an orphan produced by foreign nations. Others do not require the amendment, recognizing that the Constitution has been working for Japanese people to live in peace after the end of World War II. Discussion between both sides is highlighted on Sunday, the Constitution Day.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is a well-known anti-constitutional activist. From the beginning of his tenure, he settled the issue on the center of his political agenda. The reason why he upholds the amendment is clear and simple. He firmly believes that current constitution was coerced by United Nations occupying Japan after the war. “Constitution of Japan is something written by General Headquarters within eight days,” told Abe. In other words, any constitution will be acceptable, if it is made by Japanese people.

Abe realizes that the amendment will need broad support. The constitution requires two-thirds of majority in each Houses of the Diet to initiate national referendum. Simple majority is needed in the referendum for the amendment. Failure in the referendum may make the proposed amendment permanently impossible.

To make sure the amendment achieved, Abe is plotting a two-step maneuver. The first step is to make some minor change of the provision, such as adding periodical restriction of personal rights in emergency. If the amendment was accepted by the people, not being afraid of changing supreme law, then, he will consider fundamental change including burying Article 9 that declares renouncement of war.

To get approval from the most important ally, Abe and his staffs have made continuous effort to persuade pro-Japan experts in United States. It is fair to say that positive opinion for Japan’s constitutional amendment upheld by the study group led by Joseph Nye and Richard Armitage, for example, is a result of close discussion between Japan and U.S. Namely, Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been said as positive on constitutional amendment to use Japanese military power as a diplomatic tool.

But as for Abe’s constitutional amendment, it is not for making Japan stable or peaceful. The agenda is to reset post-war regime of Japan, in which old establishment has been oppressed by highly democratic constitution. It is not appropriate for the Japanese to renounce post-war democracy in order to satisfy old leaders and their descendants.