Gov't coalition partner urges Abe to regain trust; constitution not a priority

People are not calling for a change in the constitution as something that hinders their livelihoods," Yamaguchi said, adding more debate in parliament was needed.

But don't tell that to Abe, he knows what's best for everyone!

Hahaha... Now more than ever Abe needs these guys but desperately wants to ditch them because they won't enable him to do whatever he wants, like Isshin no Tou would.

No law can be passed in Japan right now without cooperation from a political party (Komeito) that was founded by a religious lay organization (Soka Gakkai). So much for separation of church and state. So what's the point of having a constitution anyway?

As always, "it's the economy, stupid!"

"Abenomics" has been abandoned, and rather than working on the reforms which he promised, Abe has instead been spending his political capital (and record amounts of our tax money) to change the constitution, and create a Japanese military-industrial complex.

People don't really care about the school scandal or other stories, what they care about is their jobs, their salaries, and the futures of their children. Since wages remain stagnant, and prospects for the future remain dim, Abe is losing is popularity. Abe is trying to "Make Japan Great Again". Not in the economic sense of the 70's and 80's, but in the nationalistic sense of the 30's and early 40's. But without a strong economy, everything else is irrelevant.

Regaining public trust will require major shifts on sensitive positions like nuclear downsizing or military alignment with new partners, say the EU.

Alas, there is this dreadful divine nationalism?

Koike a shot at finally bringing some much needed change to this country

Lol change? You do know she's a card carrying member of nippon kaigi right? No change for a long, long time.

Long has past a while ago

Of course the constitution isn't a priority, there's nothing wrong with it.

Abe should not be allowed to drag Japan down with him.

But this cult has built-in support to proceed almost however they want to - and they've been LDP's helper through thick and thin. Don't like the new conspiracy law?...brought to you by Japan's most powerful Buddhists? You can have conscience or seek political power but you can't have both.

I just don't like parasites of LDP where I know better way to stop it, and be independent LDP with the majority...Huuum ! Not really(?).

Abe has promised to focus on the economy, but is also sticking to his target of revising the post-war, U.S.-drafted constitution by 2020 to legitimise the military, known as the Self-Defense Forces (SDF).

Abes target was indeed revising the constitution, funny he never mentioned that once during his campaign to get elected. That tells you all you need to know about the man. Why didn't he make this part of his campaign? Because he knew it was NOT what Japan wanted now so the Japanese people got fed a whole lot of other spin to get their foot back in the door. Thats what I would be annoyed about if I was a voter.

Abe wants to militarized Japan.  instead, get rid of US military forces and former GIs from Japan.

@toshiko

do you want a militarized Japan? If you get rid of the U.S. then you will have to support a major increase in military spending and perhaps you'll need compulsory military service from Japanese youth too. I don't see how your comment makes sense.

I love it how they do unscrupulous things and them talk about regaining the public trust.

I think Abe should go on revising Article 9. I mean, if he doesn't do it, which of the short-sighted, vote-seeking politicians in Japan will?

Yeah, all this translate to is, let the dust settle and after people start to like you again you can go ahead with the constitution change.

Revising the constitution is Abe's only priority: he cares about nothing else. He will try to force a change through the Diet, no matter what anyone else says. We can expect lots more borrowing and debt as Abe attempts to bribe the electorate into supporting him.

The fact that Abe is being asked to restore confidence in his government is a clear sign that he has lost it in the first place! Not that he had much to begin with of course!

Still it will fall on deaf ears, as usual, and he will push on regardless with his constitutional changes that aren't needed and no one wants!

Abe regain trust?

hahahahahahaha

Oh sorry he is serious. Never mind.

@shallot: Are you recommending Japan be treated as US possession? With those uneducated GIs roaming, Abe must got sick.

With N Korea shooting BM toward Japan, Abe is thinking to protect Japan more than popularity. N Korea shooting may hit residential area.