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Law on procedures for constitutional revision must be abolished: JCP Ichida On May 18, as the law on procedures for constitutional revision went into effect, Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi issued the following statement: “Today, the National Referendum Law, which outlines procedures for revising the Japanese Constitution, was implemented. In defiance of strong public opposition, the former Liberal Democratic-Komei government forcibly enacted the law based on former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo’s strong intention to adversely revise the fundamental constitutional principles of peace, respect for human rights, and democracy. The pro-constitutional revision forces, however, suffered a crushing defeat in the 2007 House of Councilors election held just after the constitutional revision procedures law was enacted, and, in the 2009 general election, they lost almost all their seats in the Diet. In recent opinion polls, most respondents opposed constitutional revision. These facts clearly show that there is no need to enforce the national referendum law. In addition, legislative preparations for constitutional revision have not yet determined regulations on voting age, freedom of people’s activities for the referendum, and the minimum requirement in the voting rate. Because the law lacks such regulations, which are essential for a democratic system, the law must be abolished. On the occasion of enforcement of the national referendum law, the LDP was eager to develop a momentum towards an adverse revision of the Constitution. The JCP opposes such a move which is a blot on the history of Japan. Concerning the Japanese Constitution, the need now is to defend and fully utilize the constitutional principles of peace, respect for human rights, and democracy, including Article 9 that we should be proud to have. Together with the general public, the JCP will make its utmost effort to do so. |
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