Additional Section in Article 9

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his intention to activate amended Constitution of Japan in 2020 in his video message to Open Constitution Forum held in Tokyo on May 3^rd of the Constitution’s Day. He simultaneously made a proposal adding Self-defense Force in Article 9, which prohibited possessing force. It was the first time for Japanese Prime Minister to refer to actual schedule for constitutional amendment or how Article 9 would be changed. Paying no respect to the Constitution, which is the basis of his status, Abe makes confusion that Constitution of Japan can be amended by determination of Prime Minister, not the people.

In the video message, Abe strongly hoped to make 2020 the year of activating new constitution. “I have been saying that we should make 2020, the year of Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic, a major opportunity for Japan to reborn. Japan had changed for Tokyo Olympic 1964 to take place. The self-confidence we got at the time became a driving force of Japan to grow as a developed country. I want to make 2020, the year which Japan will firmly make a step forward, the year of activating new constitution,” appealed Abe.

He also showed unequivocal frustration with Article 9. “I at least think that we have to eliminate any room for possible unconstitutionality of Self-defense Force by defining status of SDF in the Constitution within the time of our generation,” told Abe. Stressing the necessity of maintaining Japanese pacifism with renouncement of war, he proposed adding Section 3 to Article 9 to define the status of SDF without changing other two Sections.

The video was introduced as the message from President of Liberal Democratic Party. LDP has been promoting the discussion over constitutional amendment cooperating with the opposite parties, regarding requirement of two-third majority for the initiative of national referendum over the amendment. It is likely that the opposite parties become unpleasant with unilateral scheduling of the amendment, leaving detailed discussion in the Diet behind.

LDP has been asserting to change Section 2 of Article 9 to define SDF as National Defense Force. Abe’s new opinion will overturn the accumulation of internal discussion of LDP. Some LDP leaders were negative on Abe’s idea, dismissing it as not based on any agreement. While Abe seems to have tried to change the course to attract some lawmakers with Komeito or Democratic Party, it will take certain period of time to reach an agreement in LDP.