Kishida Japanese Prime Minister "Will Submit Constitutional Amendment Proposal Early"... Hurries to Specify Self-Defense Forces

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida appeared on local television on the 10th and announced that he would submit a constitutional amendment proposal early.

According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun on the 11th, Prime Minister Kishida, who is also the president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), appeared on a program of Bunka Hoso (Cultural Broadcasting) that day and said, "I will submit the constitutional amendment proposal as soon as possible and proceed to a national referendum." This referred to the amendment proposal previously expressed by the LDP, which includes specifying the justification for maintaining the Self-Defense Forces in Article 9 of Japan's constitution, also known as the "Peace Constitution," or adding an emergency clause.

He also stated on Fuji TV and TV Asahi, "We must definitely push forward with the constitutional amendment," adding, "We must have the courage to take on this major challenge."

Public broadcaster NHK reported that, based on the vote count, exit polls, and election coverage, as of 4:50 a.m. on the 11th, the ruling party secured 76 of the 125 newly elected seats (63 for the LDP and 13 for the coalition partner Komeito).

The so-called "pro-amendment forces," which are positive about constitutional revision, including the LDP, Komeito, Nippon Ishin no Kai, and the Democratic Party for the People, have secured 176 seats, exceeding the two-thirds (166 seats) of the entire House of Councillors required to propose a constitutional amendment.

Accordingly, the political circles and local media scenarios that a constitutional review committee will be convened in both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors after the election, leading to a constitutional amendment proposal in 2024 and a referendum in 2025, have gained momentum.