Abeʼs earlier constitution time frame confuses ruling bloc
June 27, 2017
Tokyo- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's earlier time frame for revising the constitution has caused confusion within the ruling bloc, as he appears to be seeking to distract public attention from a favoritism scandal related to a school operator. "I haven't heard about it at all," said a senior member of the Liberal Democratic Party, apparently surprised by Saturday's declaration by Abe, also LDP president, that the party hopes to submit a bill to revise the constitution during an extraordinary session of parliament expected to be convened this autumn.
Abe's remarks came against a timetable believed to be shared within the LDP that calls for drawing up LDP proposals to amend the supreme law by the end of this year and submitting a related bill during next year's ordinary session after consulting with its junior coalition partner, Komeito.
The new time frame is "apparently aimed at changing the focus of public attention," an aide to Abe said.
Following falls in cabinet approval ratings, due partly to the scandal involving Kake Educational Institution, headed by a personal friend of his, the LDP is fighting an uphill battle in the Tokyo metropolitan assembly election set for next Sunday.
A ranking member of Komeito expressed discomfort with the announcement by Abe. "The schedule (for constitutional amendment) seems to be being moved up. I wonder if the prime minister is thinking to submit a bill without consulting with us."
"The prime minister appears very desperate to revise the constitution soon," another Komeito executive said. (Jiji Press)
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