 Lower House panel report focuses on calls for constitutional amendments Ignoring minority opinions that expressed substantial objection, the House of Representatives Research Commission on the Constitution on April 15 adopted its final report that summarized the commission's activities over the past five years. The report, which contains grave opinions overriding the commission's mandate in calling for constitutional amendments, was submitted to the Lower House Speaker Kohno Yohei. The Japanese Communist and Social Democratic parties voted against, while the Liberal Democratic, Komei, and Democratic parties in favor. At a news conference later in the day, JCP Chair Shii Kazuo stated his view on the report. (See separate item.) The report sums up opinions expressed during the discussion on each issue in a manner that indicates needs for constitutional revision. The JCP has opposed this way of report-making because it infringes on the agreement that the report will be limited to its research activities and findings. As regards the war-renouncing Article 9, the report states that the majority opinion was that "Japan should be allowed to use the minimum force necessary to exercise its right of collective self-defense" and that "Japan should take part in U.N. collective security activities regardless of whether they are military or not." Concerning "future discussions," the report calls for the commission to be reorganized into a permanent body tasked to "draft and examine" a national referendum bill for constitutional amendments. On behalf of the JCP, Yamaguchi Tomio stated: "While there were attempts to use the commission to discuss constitutional revision, many, including witnesses, expressed opinions that Article 9 has an irreplaceable role in the effort to establish a 'world without war.' They also maintained that the task now is to change Japan's reality to defend the constitutional protection of basic human rights. The report ignores these important points. "Is there any urgent need to change the Constitution? None. What must be renewed is our understanding of the constitutional principles, specifically their significance in the contemporary world so that they may be fully implemented. An LDP lawmaker hailed the report as "an epoch making document that will be a guideline for reviewing the Constitution," and a DPJ lawmaker stated, "By making this as a new starting line, let's proceed to the next stage." A Komei lawmaker said, "Now we are facing a full-fledged battle." Gist of Lower House panel report on constitution 1. Majority agreed to write a preamble that includes historical, traditional, and cultural values particular to Japan. 2. Majority agreed to maintain the present emperor system as a symbol and to recognize female succession. 3. Majority agreed to maintain the war-renouncing concept in Article 9 paragraph 1 and to recognize the use of necessary minimal force in the exercise of the right to self-defense. Opinion is divided into three groups over recognizing the right of collective self-defense. 4. Majority called for Japan to take part in the United Nations collective security activities without limiting them to non-military fields. 5. There is common understanding concerning the need for recognizing new kinds of human rights. 6. Majority called for the need to strengthen the leadership of the prime minister. 7. Majority agreed that it is unjust for constitutional interpretation to be practically entrusted to the Cabinet Legislation Bureau. 8. Majority called for the committee to be maintained and further commissioned to draft a law on constitutional revision procedures and to be given examiner authorities. (Akahata April 16, 2005) |