Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi gave an exclusive interview to The Sankei Shimbun as president of the Liberal Democratic Party ahead of Constitution Day on May 3, marking 79 years since Japan’s Constitution took effect.
Takaichi said that, in pursuing constitutional revision, she wants to prioritize issues more likely to win the understanding of opposition parties and the public. She identified two such issues. The first was ending the system of “merged districts” in Upper House elections, in which multiple prefectures are combined into a single constituency. The second was creating a constitutional emergency clause to maintain government functions during a national crisis.
On the issue of the merged districts in particular, she stressed the need for speed. “As a practical matter, this is extremely urgent,” she said. “The year after next is an Upper House election year.”
Two Immediate Priorities
In 2018, under former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the LDP compiled four proposed areas for constitutional revision: adding explicit constitutional recognition of the Self-Defense Forces and Japan’s self-defense measures, establishing an emergency clause, ending the practice of merged districts in Upper House elections, and improving access to education regardless of family finances.
Takaichi said the emergency clause is urgently needed to allow the state to “respond swiftly” to major disasters, terrorist attacks, and other crises that could occur at any time.
On Article 9, the LDP supports an “additive” revision that would leave the article intact, including its second paragraph renouncing the possession of war potential, while adding an explicit reference to the existence and role of the Self-Defense Forces.
Takaichi emphasized that she remains committed to all four. “There is no hierarchy of importance among the four themes,” she said. “They are all important.” At the same time, she said that if discussions are to move forward realistically, one issue at a time, the merged districts issue and the emergency clause should come first. “These two points are urgent,” she said.
Nippon Ishin no Kai, an opposition party aligned with the LDP on the need for constitutional revision, has proposed deleting the second paragraph and establishing a national defense force. The difference leaves the two parties divided on how to revise Article 9.
Toward a National Referendum
A constitutional amendment can be initiated in the Diet only with the approval of at least two-thirds of all members in both chambers. Takaichi said that “cooperation with each parliamentary group is necessary, and public understanding is indispensable” if the debate is to move forward.
“I do not take the simplistic view that discussions on every theme must advance at the same pace,” she said.
On the timing of a Diet-initiated amendment and a national referendum, Takaichi avoided giving a specific schedule. But she said that, as LDP president, she feels strongly that constitutional revision should be achieved “as soon as possible.” To complete the process in time for the 2028 Upper House election, the party is expected to aim for a Diet proposal during next year’s ordinary session.
Although the ruling parties hold well over two-thirds of the seats in the Lower House, they do not command a majority in the Upper House. Still, Takaichi said, “The combined number of parties and parliamentary groups that are positive toward constitutional revision exceeds two-thirds in the Upper House as well,” indicating her view that a proposal is possible even under the current seat distribution.
“We will bring together the full strength of LDP lawmakers, party members, and supporters to achieve it as early as possible,” she said.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
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