Abe calls for active discussions on constitution revisions

July 22, 2019

Tokyo--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called on the ruling and opposition blocs on Monday to move forward in discussions on constitutional revisions at the relevant commissions of both chambers of parliament.

Speaking at a press conference at Liberal Democratic Party headquarters following the ruling coalition's victory in the House of Councillors election on Sunday, Abe showed his resolve to make every effort for government management.

"The LDP must mobilize all its energy to promote new nation-building efforts strongly in the Imperial period of Reiwa," said Abe, president of the ruling party.

"Voters have handed down the verdict that there should be at least discussions" on revisions to the constitution, Abe also said.

While urging the opposition to take part in discussions on rewriting the top law, Abe said he wants to devise a draft of revisions that can be supported by two-thirds of lawmakers, a requirement for proposing constitutional changes, whether they belong to the ruling or opposition blocs.

"Our party is determined to exert strong leadership," Abe said. "We are going to hold flexible discussions."

In Sunday's election, the LDP and other political forces in support of constitutional amendments lost their two-thirds majority in the Upper House.

Abe said he has not changed his mind about his wish to have a revised constitution enforced next year. He said, however, that he does not necessarily stick to this schedule, while calling for substantive discussions within parties and parliamentary factions.

The prime minister said that an extraordinary parliamentary session following the Upper House election will be convened on Aug. 1.

He refrained from elaborating when he will reshuffle the cabinet and the LDP leadership team, citing a tight diplomatic schedule in August and September.

Nothing has been decided on personnel changes, he said.

Abe said he is not considering at all dissolving the House of Representatives, the powerful lower chamber of parliament, for a snap election before his tenure as LDP president expires in September 2021. But he added that he does not rule out any option. Jiji Press