Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sought public support Tuesday for his long-cherished goal of revising the country’s war-renouncing constitution amid widening scandals that have hurt his government’s popularity. Abe said he wants Japan’s Self-Defense Force to be officially recognized by the constitution as the
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sought public support Tuesday for his long-cherished goal of revising the country’s war-renouncing constitution amid widening scandals that have hurt his government’s popularity.
Abe said he wants Japan’s Self-Defense Force to be officially recognized by the constitution as the country’s military. Opponents say the revision could expand Japan’s military role beyond current limits.
“Finally, it’s time for us to tackle a revision to the constitution. And it’s you, the people, who are to play the primary role,” Abe said in a statement read by a senior member of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party at an annual campaign rally for charter change. Abe is currently traveling in the Middle East.
Public opinion has been split despite an expanded campaign to drum up support for constitutional amendment in recent years. Demands for change have been led mainly by Abe’s party, not the public.
