Constitution Day in Japan arouses debate on its revision

Every May 4th, Constitution Day is celebrated in Japan, which was when the current Constitution of Japan (日本國憲法 Nihon-Koku Kenpō) came into force 74 years ago. To mark the occasion, some groups across the country have called for amending the Constitution, while others favor keeping it in its current form.

The pacifist Constitution of Japan, as it is also known, has never been amended. Any proposed revision must be approved by a two-thirds majority in both houses of the Diet before the proposal can be put to a national referendum.

A group calling for its amendment broadcast it live on an online forum to which Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide replied in a video message that ” more than 70 years have passed since the current Constitution was promulgated and revisions must be made to it. ” the parts that do not coincide or already lack importance with the current times. As a first step to advance the discussions to amend the Constitution, we should aim to pass a revised law on national referendums .”

The Liberal Democratic Party (自由民主党) is drawing up a four-point revision project that includes formal recognition of the existence of the Self-Defense Forces. Suga said that both the ruling party and the opposition should hold constructive discussions to deepen the understanding of the population.

On the other hand, there is the group of citizens who wants to maintain the Constitution and who also held an online forum. Democratic Constitutional Party leader Edano Yukio said in a video that “that people should think about the importance of Article 25 on Constitutional Day as it stipulates that all people have the right to a minimum standard of cultured and healthy life.” Edano also said that this right has been weakened by the pandemic, saying that “the government has to work to promote and extend social welfare and public health. But Japan’s policy to date has not fulfilled this obligation. I am determined that we restore the policy based on Article 25 as it is an important role that my party should play in the midst of the coronavirus crisis.”

A few days after these events, a bill to amend the national referendum law on the revision of the Constitution at the end of the current session until mid-June was approved by parliament, as the ruling pro-revision party had already agreed. Accept the opposition force’s request to modify it .

The bill, which was approved by the House Constitution Committee, is expected to be endorsed by the lower house plenary session soon and sent to the House of Councilors, according to lawmakers.