Abe determined to realize Article 9 revision

March 25, 2018

Tokyo- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday stressed his determination to realize a revision to war-renouncing Article 9 of the country's constitution.

"Let's make the constitution spell out the Self-Defense Forces to put a period to the controversy over their constitutionality," Abe, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's president, told a regular party convention.

"This is the responsibility of politicians living in the present as well as the LDP," Abe said in a speech.

Regarding the proposed Article 9 revision, Abe said, "Let's start a new era by fulfilling this mission resolutely."

Abe noted that the party has drawn up draft constitutional clauses on four key issues, including Article 9.

"It's time to embark on work to revise the constitution, the key task since our party's establishment," he said.

At the beginning of the speech, Abe apologized over the Finance Ministry's falsification of official documents on a state-held land plot sold to Moritomo Gakuen.

"As the head of the government, I keenly feel responsible," he said, promising to shed full light on the misconduct and take preventive measures.

The land was sold at an unusually big discount to the nationalist school operator, once linked to Abe's wife, Akie.

Ahead of the speech, Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai said the party hopes to set a final draft for constitutional amendment after holding discussions with other parties at the constitution commissions at both chambers of the Diet, the country's parliament, and consulting with experts.

The party will aim to realize a Diet proposal to amend the constitution, he said, adding, "Revising the current constitution with our own hands is a mission of our party."

Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of Komeito, the LDP's partner in the ruling camp, mentioned increasing public criticism over the document falsification scandal. He said it is important to listen to the public and solve related problems.

The convention was also attended by Sadayuki Sakakibara, chairman of the Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren.

"The business world will fully cooperate to help the Abe administration implement policy measures," Sakakibara said, requesting the continuance of the Abenomics reflationary policy.

At the convention, the LDP adopted this year's campaign policy calling for efforts to realize constitutional amendment. The policy also sought full preparations for unified local elections and a House of Councillors poll, both set for 2019. Jiji Press