On eve of birthday, Crown Prince stresses Constitution is basis of peace and prosperity
On the eve of turning 54 on Sunday, Crown Prince Naruhito praised the vital role the postwar Constitution has played in ensuring peace and prosperity in the country. "Today's Japan was built with the Japanese Constitution as the cornerstone, and our country is now enjoying ...
People should realize that Japan's prime minister has a shallow understanding of constitutional government. Shinzo Abe thinks he is the "highest responsible person" for interpreting Japan's right to a collective self-defense, and that's dangerous.
Cabinet will decide defense role: Abe
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday that Cabinet approval is enough to change the government's interpretation of war-renouncing Article 9 and allow Japan to help defend allied nations. Previous administrations have followed the interpretation by the Cabinet Legislation Bureau that Japan cannot exercise the right ...
Alarmed by what they charge as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's lack of commitment to constitutionalism, a group of lawyers from around the country send him a reminder of the principles of the Constitution — accompanied by chocolates — for Valentine's Day.
Abe exploiting window for biggest defense change since war
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, pressed by China and seeking to strengthen ties with the U.S., is considering Japan's biggest change in military engagement rules since World War II. Barred by the traditional interpretation of the pacifist Constitution from protecting other nations' troops, the 59-year-old Abe ...
Amendment not needed for collective defense: Abe
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reiterates his administration’s position that the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution on its own gives Japan the right to collective self-defense.
The first unilaterally installed leader of the government's legal team has been hospitalized, fueling speculation that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's quest to reinterpret the Constitution for military reasons might be delayed. Ichiro Komatsu, head of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau, is expected to be treated for ...
The Liberal Democratic Party's No. 2 executive said Sunday the party will again try to persuade its Buddhist coalition partner, New Komeito, that Japan should be allowed to exercise the right to collective self-defense. "We will discuss the issue with New Komeito to find common ...
Playing with fire is dangerous
Any moves that Japanese leaders make at this time to start the process of amending the Constitution would arouse strong feelings in Japan and abroad, against the nation's interests.
Economy to be Abe's Diet focus, at least at first
This year's 150-day regular Diet session will open Friday with a key policy speech by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expected to play to his strength — the economy — rather than his controversial diplomatic or national security policies. The administration and ruling parties say they ...
Abe takes aim at pacifist Constitution
The pacifist credo that has given modern Japan its distinctive security framework is moving increasingly into the spotlight as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe prepares to shake up the postwar regime. Dissatisfied with the restrictions imposed by the Constitution, Abe aims to implement changes to enable ...
