LDP Upper House election policy calls for deleting Article 9

Arguing the need to change Japan's basic status, the Liberal Democratic Party in its election platform for the House of Counselors election in July called for eliminating Article 9 from the Constitution.

On June 8, the LDP General Council reconfirmed that the ruling party will draft a new constitution in 2005.

The LDP policy maintains that the new constitution must define that the Self-Defense Forces are a national force missioned to make international contributions and that Japan may exercise the right of collective self-defense.

It also refers to drafting necessary bills concerning procedures in preparation for the constitutional revision.

Regarding the issue of the pension system, the LDP policy refers to the latest agreement between the LDP, Komei, and the Democratic Party which jointly called for a consumption tax rate hike as revenue sources of pension.

While stressing the need to integrate public-, corporate-, and cooperative-run pension systems, the party gives priority to a comprehensive review of the national welfare system.

Concerning the issue of the consumption tax rate increase which the LDP called for in its general election policy last year, the new policy states that its review work will end within this year. (end)