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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Special constitutional committee starts discussion

The Special Research Committee on the Constitution held its first deliberation on October 6.

The committee was set up in the House of Representatives to discuss a national referendum bill necessary for initiating a process of constitutional revision.

Committee Chair Nakayama Taro (Liberal Democratic Party) said, "We now have entered a new stage to discuss specific procedures for revising the Constitution."

Democratic Party representative Edano Yukio stated that it is desirable that a national referendum law be enacted as soon as possible.

Japanese Communist Party member Kasai Akira emphasized that the JCP voted against the establishment of the committee on the grounds that it is aimed at creating favorable conditions for revising Article 9. He expressed his determination to take part in the committee to block a revision of Article 9 and to make use of the Constitution in the debates.

Kasai stressed that a national referendum law has not been established for 60 years because the citizens have not recognized the necessity to revise the Constitution. -- Akahata, October 7, 2005