Abe regrets having missed goal of amending Constitution by 2020

Another failure, Shin-chan.

Just add it to the long, long list.

the need of introducing an emergency clause... at a time of a major disaster

Not needed. Article 13 already indicates that the interests of public welfare can supersede normal human rights. That was the case in Fukushima when residents were "locked out" -- evacuated from their homes during a "major disaster" by the police under very explicit and mandatory orders.

If Japanese authorities have legal authority for a lockout, they have it for lockdowns. Hello? This is the most disingenuous argument I've heard for a long time. It's about politics, not the law.

I bet he does and I’m glad he didn’t. My old cockey mum would say “if it works-don’t fix it”. Same with the construction, only right wing nuts who want to go back to 1930 would want to change it, as is the case.

I am all against sending young lads to die in other countries' causes. Including me being 27. No need to any amendment.

All the failures of dealing with the China Virus that has kill many, bankrupted many small businesses, people still waiting for money to put food on the table and many other things in Japan and this is what he regrets?

JeffLee Today 06:35 am JST

Not needed. Article 13 already indicates that the interests of public welfare can supersede normal human rights. 

Let's see what Article 13 says

Article 13. All of the people shall be respected as individuals. Their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness shall, to the extent that it does not interfere with the public welfare, be the supreme consideration in legislation and in other governmental affairs.

People's rights are inviolable. And the article itself says that no law of public interest can interfere with people's lives. Textually.

The evacuation of Fukushima was unconstitutional. And the PDJ government did the same as in the case of the JSDF, in Article 9. Ignore their existence and use force majeure. Which is an illegal but necessary act.

The constitution has some articles that are becoming obsolete. And you need a special article for emergencies. And they're not opinions. They're facts.

I agree that Abe is not the right person to lead a negotiating table, for a constitutional amendment. But in the long-term future it will be necessary to begin these negotiations with the social partners, who will have to deal with this problem.

@dougthehead13

"...The evacuation of Fukushima was unconstitutional. And the PDJ government did the same as in the case of the JSDF, in Article 9. Ignore their existence and use force majeure. Which is an illegal but necessary act..."

This is interesting. Please reply with quotes and/or sources/URLs to back up your statement.

Another example of good coming from bad: Abe's constitution nixed by corona.

Paul Laimal-Convoy Today 07:26 am JST

This is interesting. Please reply with quotes and/or sources/URLs to back up your statement.

Okay. I apologize for not putting the URL, in the previous comment.

https://japan.kantei.go.jp/constitution_and_government_of_japan/constitution_e.html

If you read the constitution you will see that there is no legal support, from many laws that are being applied. And to do so is thanks to re-interpretations, or simply by looking for gaps within one's constitution. The government has been doing that for decades. Seeing as it's impossible to change the current constitution.

@Dougthehead

"the article itself says that no law of public interest can interfere with people's lives." 

No it doesn't. It says the opposite. It says normal right is supreme "the extent that it does NOT interfere with the public welfare."  NOT interfere. (quoted words are from the constitution).

And the link you provided to support your argument is merely the text of the constitution. Congratulations, though, you got 2 up votes. LOL.

Don't take my word for it, take from a legal scholar at link below.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2020/04/14/commentary/japan-commentary/coronavirus-japans-constitution/#.Xq9S0agzaUk

""The article, if read literally, prohibits Japan from possessing military forces and other "war potential.""

Yes Indeed, Japan should stay as peaceful as it is, the only minority that's pushing to change the constitution are the War Mongers, The war machine manufacturers, and others who stand ready to make a $$ from wars.

Idiot. The only idea abe could come up with in this pandemic was a failed attempt to get elemenatry school grade masks to the public and now we're supposed to entrust him with a constitutional amendment?

You really have your priorities straight dude. Go home and sit in the corner while real adults try to protect this country from this public health crisis. Idiot.

I wonder what percentage of people out there actually want an Abe mask by the time they arrive. We had some washable masks in a drawer from a trip we made during SARS, but were also given cloth masks by my MiL and our elderly neighbours who were kind enough to make them. This happened three weeks ago, and we still have no sign of the Abe masks.

The average Japanese 'regrets' having you for a PM too you out of touch aristocrat!

I would have thought that this was a time to reach out to other nations, pool resources, and join forces against the common enemy of the virus. Abe, like Trump is clearly in his own world. Not a good qualifaction for a leader.

Invalid CSRF

Quote from above: "Despite Abe's long-held political goal, opinion polls have shown that a majority of Japanese find no need to accelerate discussions on whether to revise the Constitution." This is to say the people of Japan oppose Abe and his rightist cohorts, who represent militarism and the danger of getting Japan into war. Good for the people of Japan to remember what idiots like Abe once did to their country.

Hasn't done too well getting the public to "understand" what the hell he is on about.

In the latest video message, Abe also referred to his Liberal Democratic Party's 2018 plan to amend four elements of the Constitution,

Folks are stuck on Article 9 here, and Abe has managed to put that in the spotlight, however these other 4 amendments should scare the crap out of anyone and everyone!

Article 96 would be changed to allow revisions approved by majorities of each chamber of parliament and a majority of voters in a public referendum.

He wants to change the constitution so that it would no longer be necessary to have a 2/3rds "super majority" in the diet to pass any proposed changes. He wants that changed to a simple majority. Consider post-war Japan's history and outside of a few years, the LDP has had a "simple" majority for an overwhelming number of years. Yes amendments must be passed in the Diet first then a national referendum with a simple majority to follow. However Abe does not even think for one moment that the people will NOT support anything he proposes

This is scary for any number of reasons, and a country's constitution SHOULD be difficult to change, and should only be changed with a consensus of all parties, not just the LDP. Change this, and the avalanche begins!

*Article 97 provides a guarantee of basic human rights: “The fundamental human rights by this Constitution guaranteed to the people of Japan are fruits of the age-old struggle of man to be free; they have survived the many exacting tests for durability and are conferred upon this and future generations in trust, to be held for all time inviolate.”

Here is how he wants to change it.....

Article 97 guaranteeing fundamental human rights would be deleted. A revised Article 12 would state the people “shall be aware that duties and obligations accompany freedoms and rights and shall never violate the public order and public interest”.

This one will give the LDP power to enforce other changes, such as making families responsible, financially and otherwise, for indigent members who are related. Meaning you got a sick cousin, you never met before, get prepared to have to assist taking care of them in the interest of the public as a whole and not the government!

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-abe-constitution/factbox-key-facts-about-japans-constitution-proposed-changes-idUSBRE94N04920130524

Sorry I am still looking for the 4th amendment that he is proposing to have changed. Together these affect the people of Japan far more than just Article 9, and it gives the government far more invasive power over the people!

Dictators all have such clauses added to their constitutions. It’s a shame that our dictator is a corrupt failure.

Don’t worry. Abe has no intention of revising the US imposed pacifist constitution. He just brings it up from time to time to sell his patriotic image and placate pro-amendment conservatives. If he was serious about changing the supreme law, he would have put it to national referendum years ago when the LDP controlled two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament.

Yukio Edano, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, is among those who denied the necessity of an emergency clause in combating the pandemic.

"It is absolutely not true that necessary measures cannot be implemented under the rule of the current Constitution," Edano said in a video clip uploaded on the website of the party.

An unequivocal statement of the facts. To callously, cynically weaponize this pandemic, this tragedy, to shamefully pursue a political agenda is appalling and despicable.

If he was serious about changing the supreme law, he would have put it to national referendum years ago when the LDP controlled two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament.

Hardly, his base when he first took over the second time was no where near where it is today. He would have been kicked out as PM for pushing it then.

Change the school year to start in September and you'll have a success.

EARTH to abe EARTH to abe……..guess no one is home!!

Wait I should have sent a FAX!!!

Funny to see a bunch of non voters get all antsy about something they have no legal position to.

Of course constitutions need to get amended eventually.

And of course Japan has to change eventually what was written in 1945.

Or is it your argument that what is right once, will be always correct, even 100 years later?

Shinichi Nishikawa, a professor of political science at Meiji University, warned that an emergency clause could give an immense power to the cabinet, saying the country "should prepare for crises by utilizing individual laws, rather than revising the Constitution itself."

This guy gets my vote for PM!

"no wavering at all in my resolve to amend the Constitution," 

Not that I want him to succeed on this one, but has Abe actually accomplished any of his goals or vows? I can't think of one.

But make no mistake, as he wavers on the economy, and wavers on the state with Corona virus and what to do, it's true the ONE thing he will not waver on his changing article 9 of the Constitution and trying to return Japan to what he sees as past glory, before it was destroyed in WWII for that "glory". That's the only reason he has not resigned -- because he hasn't yet achieved his personal goal, against the will of the people.

No problem. Not everyone regrets it. Let’s get the COVID-19 behind us. That’s our priority today.

Abe regrets missing his chance, Japan regrets Abe.

He needs to retire to his sofa, book, tea and dog.

Despite Abe's long-held political goal, opinion polls have shown that a majority of Japanese find no need to accelerate discussions on whether to revise the Constitution.

I really wish this sentence had been phrased as, "Despite opinion polls showing that a majority of Japanese find no need to accelerate discussions on whether to revise the Constitution, Abe continues to hold this as a political goal."

After all, it is the job of political leaders to reflect the will of the people they represent, not to try to impose their personal goals on the people.

The issues worth changing by the current govt are missing present day priorities.

Is it army and emergency which need more thinking, or is it rather outdated foreign relations such as how to live with neighbors and antique family law,

that needs pondering about?

How about waiting two months before doing anything about coronavirus to try and keep the Olympics? Any regrets there? That decision costs lives now, changing the constitution will cost lives later if it happens.

Abe is way, way past his expiration date. Some other incompetent LDPer needs to take over. Not Aso, please, not that incompetent. He is Trump level incompetent.

@tom, and probably most of the ministers to, its about time for some young blood, with more modern ideas.

@Brian: Totally agree. I am for term limits everywhere, but Daimyo families in Japan prevail, they seem to hide their inheritance uniquely, and just want to push their own agenda.

I miss GanbareJapan

This is a good comparison from Osaka University highlighting the differences between the LDP's draft for a new constitution and the existing one. It provides a good overview of the people's rights that will disappear if Abe gets his way.

https://ir.library.osaka-u.ac.jp/repo/ouka/all/70589/osipp_043_021.pdf

The U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1788. The only amendment to be repealed was the 18th amendment, which prohibited alcohol, which didn't turn out well unless you were with the Mafia. It wasn't created 80 years ago. Abe is anything but wise or acting for the greater good.

Abe, wants to militarize the state. Why? Abe is going to conquer China? Throw off the shackles of the U.S. and no longer be a client-state? What percent of the budget will be dedicated to arming the state? Look at the oh-so-powerful U.S. that spends the majority of its budget on the military and its failures. War. It will teach you one thing: life is short. The Great Imperium, delusions and madness.

Abe and his fellow scoundrels are still looking to save the Olympics, not just to add to his grandeur, but to keep in their pocket the 3.1 billion already invested by large corporate industries. Atop that is a contagion with a haphazard, ad hoc response that reveals incredible incompetence - but indeed reveals the sensibility of the majority of Japan's citizenry who acted without particular direction and when called to adhere to protocols, got in line. Abe doesn't give a crap about anyone's rights, he radiates the odor of sulfur, as he looks to undermine the greater good with self-serving schemes from whence he and his right wing goons will profit. He is quite mad, and ordinarily so. He needs to be put out pasture or kicked to the curb. It is the 21st Century. He lives in the age of the Daimyos. Be gone foul beast.

thepersoniamnowToday  11:41 am JST

Funny to see a bunch of non voters...

What makes you think they're all non voters?

The changes to the constitution proposed are small to begin with.

Japan should have a normal military like the rest of the world does.

Remember Germany?

Even they have a normal military after everything that happened, everything they did. It's overdue for Japan to change too.

If your waiting until the last second, if your waiting for another country to be aggressive first.... It will be too late. To develope certain military weapons require many years! Sometimes decades.

North Korea has nukes and being aggressive.

Russia has nukes and is aggressive.

China has nukes and being aggressive.

South Korea investing more every year in its military, not restricted by constitution, not friendly towards Japan.

Wake up before its too late.

South Korea investing more every year in its military, not restricted by constitution, not friendly towards Japan.

Pssst. Newsflash. japans protected by america which happens to be allied to South Korea. Absolutely nothing is going to happen to it. Try peddling your propaganda elsewhere.

It's a good lesson, the aim of change the constitution might be additional one to combat the pandemic virus every country country in the world, by the army forces or defense forces to be allied in one. No meaning blaming who did this fault. Coronavirus overwhelmed the world in fraction of time. Emergency state to be reinforced by all countries to one enemy now. Abe isn't understanding seriously the pandemic matter. The mask is too small to big face.

AlexBecuToday  05:46 am JST

The changes to the constitution proposed are small to begin with.

Japan should have a normal military like the rest of the world does.

Remember Germany?

Germany's WW2 leadership was basically purged. Japan's wasn't. The grandsons of people running the show back in the 40s are in charge now, and they're basically useless at everything except gaming the political system. Shinzo Abe probably fantasises about being an IJA general with a Samurai sword to swing about, but he's the very last person who should have any more power to order the SDF about.

Germany's WW2 leadership was basically purged. Japan's wasn't.

A fact that's often ignored.

Wallace FredToday  04:47 pm JST

"Germany's WW2 leadership was basically purged. Japan's wasn't."

A fact that's often ignored.

Exactly. Who'd let Germany have unlimited military capabilities if the Nazis had been left in charge?

AlexBecu May 5 05:46 am JST

Remember Germany?

Even they have a normal military after everything that happened, everything they did. It's overdue for Japan to change too.

Unfortunately, Germany is not Japan.

The German constitutional changes are thanks to the broad affirmative consensus between the SPD and the CDU. And that is totally impossible to happen between the two main Japanese political parties.

Even Abe's LDP is not Merkel's CDU. Nor is the PDCJ of Edano, it is the SPD of Schröder. Both parties are far apart ideologically. Or worse. They can't stand each other. And until those differences are resolved, constitutional reform in Japan will be impossible. Far from it with the current leaders and managers of these two parties.