Abe says he will initiate debate on new constitution

Which arrow is this? Fix the economy and stop with all the distractions

here come the right wingers! cue the black trucks!

Youthful, dynamic, diverse and bursting with creativity; yes, Japan's future is bright with the LDP.

I do think that Japan needs to change its constitution to a more savvy and modern one for its armed forces.

Just because you like peace, doesn't mean you shouldn't arm yourself and protect yourself especially if you are in a dangerous situation. Not believing in fighting won't help you on the street if someone is running toward you to harm you.

This area is now one of the most dangerous in the world and Japan has countries like China and Russia and NK who threaten her.

The situation has changed from the last 50 years and the conflicted area has come to Japan's doorstep. Last I checked, the countries who are weak, China walked right up to their islands and took them.

Youthful, dynamic, diverse and bursting with creativity

Judging from the people sleeping on the stage and the bald patches in the audience, I'd have to agree with you!

Abe sure knows how to use fanciful and yasashii words to further his fascist agenda.

to show the people, with confidence, our vision for the future of our country and what an ideal constitution should look like

Oh dear leader, I see your true colors shining through. Right on cue. No bragging rights here but I called this over a month ago. I'll go one further, down the road there'll probably be an 'attack' that will push this from debate to defcon 1. This amazing country has officially certified its downward spiral.

Just because you like peace, doesn't mean you shouldn't arm yourself and protect yourself especially if you are in a dangerous situation. Not believing in fighting won't help you on the street if someone is running toward you to harm you.

This area is now one of the most dangerous in the world and Japan has countries like China and Russia and NK who threaten her.

I'm pretty sure China and Russia aren't being belligerent towards Japan. Do pray tell where you summized that. And of course any nation is entitled to arm however japan's case is rather unique due to its barbaric past as envisioned by the constitution enacted by their victors. There's no way anyone in this region will be ok with a belligerent japan especially since to this day, some atrocities like the unit 731 are conveniently glossed over and remain unacknowledged. Never gonna happen dude!!

Honestly, I think Abe could say he's going to initiate a draft and launch a land war on NK next week and the docile populace would still report to work next week. Train people to follow authority from pre-school on up and these are the results. Helps that Japan is a one-party state. The only thing in play is which loony rightist faction is in power.

Fred Wallace.

Russia and Japan are still technically in conflict over the Northern territories.

Every nation has a barbaric past, but I can guess who wrote all your history books.

Anyways to debate with you on how China has been aggressive is pointless as everyone is aggressive. It's what these big countries, USA included have always done.

But I'm Japanese and on my own side obviously.

Every nation has a barbaric past, but I can guess who wrote all your history books.

But I'm Japanese and on my own side obviously.

And I too can guage where you got your history from. Well blind nationalism aside, there's a universal consensus on the atrocities attributed to japan.

A debate in Japanese parliament? Don't make me laugh! The verdict is already in. This is just a puppet show to appease the public.

I do think that Japan needs to change its constitution to a more savvy and modern one for its armed forces.

Why would any sane citizen want to quit a peaceful constitution which has been working perfectly for the last 70 years and more ? Only Abe, LDP and Weapons Seller want it for obvious selfish reason which are all against citizen rights to enjoy a peaceful life. They will do everything to avoid the referendum on that matter.

The things written on the poster behind Abe are not what the LDP's constitutional revisions will achieve. The LDP wants to remove rights and impose duties on the people, such as the duty to look after relatives. Under the LDP's proposed revisions you will be forced to financially support unemployed brothers, uncles etc, rather than have them receive welfare from the state.

The LDP also propose to remove the right to free speech in some cases, i.e. cases where people criticise the LDP. I'd like to see the media cover the LDP's proposals, rather than ask daft questions like "do you think the constitution should be revised?", without asking what the revisions should be. Instead we get nothing at all.

what a picture! No women? No-one under 60?

Just a group of old fascist men. Hopefully they will pop their clogs before they do too much damage.

"attending an annual rally on revising the constitution organized by ruling party lawmakers and other backers, said the time has come"

any guesses as to who the "other backers" referred to might be?

NK but not North Korea perhaps?

Yeah, "debate". More like "Do what I say. If you don't like it, I'll 'make you understand later'". In any case, he'll push this until pre-election, then shift to the economy and avoid the topic, then when he wins again on the very next day say it's a mandate for switching the Constitution. Then when polls and debate show everyone's against it, he'll do it anyway.

And the funniest part is the nation will still want a Nobel prize for the Constitution despite the changes.

"initiate debate".... not the Japaneses strongest trait. Could request conformity be a more honest way of putting it, woops silly me.

@kobe you spot on. he controls the diet, so a will just be a formality. referendum is the only way in a democracy.

place the national interest before individuals' basic human rights in some cases.

Only an insane group of fascist would like to see this to happen, they are talking here about "individual's basic human rights" being "degraded", either you have individuals's basic human rights or you don't have, it can't be conditional, the most disgusting is the brainwashing use of the NK pseudo threat to push this, wonder if Japanese citizen are realizing it is about their own individual's basic human rights here being discussed and not the NK.

And that, ladies and gentleman, was his campain pledge and sole ambition in returning to run for the top spot, although he must have just forgotten to mention it during his campaign. All the other stuff he did mention have gone nowhere, but I bet you dollars to doughnuts this will.

No amount of jiggery-pokery or persuasive arm twisting disguised as discussion or debate will change Japans commitment to a pacifist constitution.

Strong self defence is provided and assured through the comprehensive Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan. The people and Government of Japan unwavering commitment is proven by defence policy and economic contribution.   

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ruling LDP government and cabinet is ideologically obsessed with the 1947 constitution as the legacy of Japan's defeat in World War II and an imposition of the victor's world order and values to the point that LDP nationalists can only find redemption and respectability by returning to a failed imperialist so-called set of pre-war family values cantered on the emperor and place the national interest before individuals' basic human rights in some cases.

To revise Japan pacifist constitution, will not diminish the threat from North Korea's nuclear weapons programme. Neither will any change reverse depopulation or suddenly revitalise Japan economy.

Dukeleto: well, to be fair, he did rush a bunch of other stuff through that the majority was against as well, so it's not like he's done NOTHING. Also, he promised to put women center stage; he did, with the lowest number of women in the cabinet on record. He promised to address work conditions; he did, allowing for companies to be allowed to demand staff work 15 hours a day (despite it being illegal). He promised to address the day care issue; he did, longest waiting period in history in urban areas, with no new places being built because suddenly the opinion of old people on noise matters. He vowed to address the island issues; he has, giving more money than ever to Russia and getting them to put weapons on the islands to further entrench themselves. He vowed to address the abdictee issue; he did, relations with NK are worse than ever and it will NEVER be resolved now.

So, it's not like he's ignored all his promises, it's just that the opposite of what he's promised happens (and every few weeks he vows to tackle it again, and the steeple forget), unless it's what HE personally wants, then he rams it through. Unfortunately it's what no one else wants, but he claims he knows better and you do want it.

Debate? Japan doesn't understand the word. He wants your unquestioning acquiescence and to call it "debate" so he seems in touch with reality.

family values centered on the emperor 

i.e. State Shinto. The emperor as god, the Japanese people as his obedient children. As it once was, and what Nippon Kaigi wants again: a handy mythology cooked up for the sole purpose of absolute control. Japanese Fascism 2.0.

place the national interest before individuals' basic human rights in some cases.

In cases where the individual disagrees with the state.

Scary stuff, but I predict it will go through. Most people are more interested in the Olympics, idol groups, and shopping.

Hey Abe, How about "realistic and concrete" discussion about your "No. 1" priority again in 2017, the economy? What ever happened to that third arrow of structural reforms?

And when I shook your hand at an election rally that time, and told you to do the business on the day care waiting list mess, you nodded back to me in acknowledgment. Where are we with that now?

place the national interest before individuals' basic human rights in some cases.

Oh woohoo! Thanks Mr. Abe! Nice to see you've been keeping busy!

the country faces challenges ranging from the regional security threat to a shrinking population and workforce."

Changing the constitution isn't going to do jack to address those matters.

prewar family values centered on the emperor and place the national interest before individuals' basic human rights

Ah yes, because that worked out so well last time, didn't it?

I do not understand why anyone gives this crackpot the time of day.

Under the LDP's proposed revisions you will be forced to financially support unemployed brothers, uncles etc, rather than have them receive welfare from the state.

This is interesting. How will one be forced to do that? Someone is going to twist one's arm? 

Personally, I don't have a problem with expecting people to look after their families, in fact I'd prefer that to people going on state provided welfare, in principal.

I would expect tax rates to be cut in return, reduced in recognition of the extra individual burdens expected to bear. What taxes continue to be collected should be targeted to those most in need.

In the world including Japan there is far too much state coddling of people who are perfectly capable of looking after themselves, if only the government would step back and put the onus on people to do just that. It's only the needy who the state should seek to assist. Taxing rich people to assist rich people is ridiculous. People ought only be taxed in order to collect monies to assist the needy.

The charter renounces the use of force in international conflicts and limits Japan's troops to self defense, although Japan has a well-equipped modern military that works closely with the U.S.

If all Governments similarly embraced and adopted self defense through a pacifist constitution then the world would be a safer place. What is there to debate?

In the 1920s it was China's political weakness that helped to fuel Japan's fascism. Nearly a century later it is China's economic strength that is helping to inflame Japan's resurgent nationalism. China is every nationalist's wet dream and nightmare at the same time.

Democracy is being subverted everywhere. The U.S., the U.K., Turkey, the Philippines - all former democracies. France might be headed the same way soon. I can't believe that I'm seeing the same thing happening to Japan.

As an overwhelming No. 1 party,

So you admit you are a dictator.

we are committed to lead a realistic and concrete discussion"

Nothing you have done since you have taken power has been either of these two things- and you have not discussed anything with the public.  Only given abstract promises that you have not fulfilled and shoved through unpopular legislature.

in parliament's constitution research council, he said.

parliament's constitution research council??  Is that what you are calling the political branch of Nippon Kaigi now?

He said he will show the public how his government plans to preserve "a peaceful and affluent Japan as the country faces challenges ranging from the regional security threat to a shrinking population and workforce."

Yeah sure.  Show us.  THIS I'd like to see.

Japanese Fascism 2.0

This! It's one thing that Abe and his 'young, dynamic' fans want to make changes that put the state far ahead of themselves again. But it's even more surprising that the rest of the world (especially those that were at war with the IJA) are not up in arms about it. Really scary that the world seems so determined for a mass human culling somewhere. Massive steps back for humanity and nothing being done to combat it. Have we reached critical mass of brainless and brainwashed people again?

Democracy is being subverted everywhere. The U.S., the U.K., Turkey, the Philippines - all former democracies. France might be headed the same way soon. I can't believe that I'm seeing the same thing happening to Japan.

Honestly though, in the true sense of the word: when was Japan ever a democratic nation?

Some public opinion poll in Japan show decrease of Japanese who want revise the Constitution.

"New Constitution" is self-righteous or danger delusion of handful jingo who pretend as if "Majority".

Japanese extreme rightist believe in Fake News,expand hate or racism,and support Abe Government.

They hate Present Pacifism Constitution as "old-fashioned".

but They worship Pre-War fascism state that oppressed general public and started The War.

Revival of "Patriotism education" is a kind of it.

Thanks Aoi san, it's great to hear from a native regarding this travesty!!

Expansion of militarism and authority under the name of "threat " of neighboring countries,

Totalitarianism in nuclear policy and economic policy,

Authoritarianism that made secrecy-law and conspiracy-bill,

Racism against other Asian,

Exclusion against dissent,protest and criticism,

Intolerance against disabled people,sufferer and evacuees,

Oppression against Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression,and so,

These problems were caused under Nationalistic Abe regime who hate individual freedom as "egotism" and want to crush present Constitution.

These problems were caused under Nationalistic Abe regime who hate individual freedom as "egotism" and want to crush present Constitution

Then please do more to sensitize. Let more people get involved and vote this dangerous party out for the next decade. So called abenomics has failed. The veil has been lifted. Nothing but smoke and mirrors to see. I honestly feel something is going to be pinned on NK anytime now!!

The situation has changed from the last 50 years and the conflicted area has come to Japan's doorstep. Last I checked, the countries who are weak, China walked right up to their islands and took them.

That's so true. When China was weak, Japan walked right up and in a matter of days took Taiwan from China.

Its about time..

Fxgai: You won,t get much of a tax cut if they stop welfare for the people you mention, how many of these people you discribe would there be, Do you have numbers or are these hords of welfare cheats, just hearsay. I say hearsay. Welfare is a social and community safety net for the down and out and the poor and those of low intellect. And it only a small precent of government expeniture. Of course their is abuse but very minimal.

It's a good decision to change the constitution, as a modern and civilized country you should be able to rely less on others and enjoy the independence of your own armed forces. Much has changed in 70 years and the constitution should change with the times. Just because you have the ability to declare war does not mean you'll up and do it, right?

when was Japan ever a democratic nation?

Since the Edo Period.

Japan is a constitutional monarchy