TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Sunday (April 12) sought a one-year timeline for efforts to propose a constitutional amendment.
(According to earlier reports, she aims to revise Article 9, which forbids Japan from going to war and constrains its ability to maintain a military.)
In a speech at the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s annual convention in Tokyo, Takaichi, also the party’s president, said, “We hope to hold a party convention next year in a state where we can say that there is a prospect of proposing a constitutional amendment.”
She expressed her willingness to hold a referendum on the amendment.
Also in her speech, the prime minister stressed the significance of her administration’s “responsible and proactive fiscal policy.”
Looking ahead to unified local elections in spring 2027 and the 2028 election of the House of Councillors, Takaichi said, “We will create a strong party that will continue to win elections both at the national and local levels.”
At the 93rd regular party convention, the LDP adopted the 2026 policies for its political and campaign activities.
They included a goal to submit a draft constitutional amendment to the Diet, Japan’s parliament.
Referring to the party’s landslide victory in the House of Representatives election in February, Takaichi said, “This is a great opportunity to build a foundation for winning all elections.”
Attending the LDP convention as guests were Hirofumi Yoshimura, leader of the Japan Innovation Party, the LDP’s coalition partner, and Yoshinobu Tsutsui, chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), the country’s biggest group of employers.
Yoshimura sought a reduction in the number of seats in the House of Representatives and the passage of a bill to realize the JIP-proposed “deputy capital” plan.
He also called for moving forward with constitutional revision, saying, “Now is precisely the time to act.” - Jiji Press via The Japan News/ANN
