What Prime Minister Koizumi has said about constitutional revision

"It is unnatural to say that the Self-Defense Forces are not armed forces. We should have a constitution that would avoid criticism that the SDF are unconstitutional."

"If Japan is allowed to exercise the right of collective self-defense in future, the Constitution must be changed. If not, how can we maintain Japan's friendship with the United States when Japan-U.S. relations are the most important factor for Japan's national interests? We need to study every possible situation." (April 2001)

"Taking the discrepancy or gray areas between the Constitution's preamble and Article 9 into account, I have been contemplating ways for Japan to do what it can."

"The Constitution itself has something that do not fit in with international common sense." (October 2001, deliberation on special measures law on terrorism)

"Lay up for a rainy day. In peace prepare for war. This is what politics is all about and the war-contingency bills have been submitted in line with this idea." (April 2002, the House of Representatives plenary session)

"It is desirable to revise the Constitution in the future so as to be able to declare openly that the SDF are troops." (May 2003, a special committee meeting on emergency legislation, the House of Councilors)

"I cannot say that SDF officers in Iraq will not be killed. It can happen." (July 2003, deliberation on special measures law on Iraq, the House of Councilors joint committee) (end)