Key facts about Japan's constitution, proposed changes

Article 97 guaranteeing fundamental human rights would be deleted.

This is the really scary part. This could prohibit dissent or protest on the grounds that the government thinks it "violates the public order".

If the Japanese people decide that this is the way forward then they probably deserve it.

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"

I think China has similar clauses in its constitution. Although, on paper, they have the right to free speech, clauses like the one above allow it to be crushed (with tanks, if necessary) on the grounds of "public interest", i.e. the interests of the government.

I don't know why anyone would vote in favour of such an amendment, which seems to give the government the power to do anything it likes. Hopefully, they won't.

What about article 20? I believe older suggestions included modifications of the Freedom of Religion article as well. Isn't such change part of the current agenda?

I saw a report on TV that another proposed change was to Article 1; instead of being a 'symbol of the people' '象徴), the Emperor would become the 'head of state' or 'sovereign' (元首).

Add that to the idea of using the military to 'maintain public order' and we're back to the way things were when things weren't good.

I hope Abe and his cronies do not get their way with this.

Good catch, Cleo.

Add that to the idea of using the military to 'maintain public order' and we're back to the way things were when things weren't good.

Well, one big difference is the current lack of State Shinto.

Nessie: who needs religion when you've got nihonjinron?

The "US-imposed Constitution" is an insult itself.

Give us hell, Abe!

They should give Abe hell!!

If the other people are right about the government being able to crack down on its citizens one can only assume lower wages might be following.

It is ironic that the country that most use words like democracy and freedom, is the same country that holds people in Guantanamo without providing them the most basic human rights. According to the UN, holding these people is a violation of human rights, whatever the reasoning behind it. They do not believe their constitution is strong enough to penalize these individuals with their legal system.

So are we asking the Japanese to keep a constitution drafted by these same individuals. Let the Japanese be the navigators of their own destiny in their own country, it's the most basic right. As to all the critics of Japan, look at your countries first and may the one with the perfect country stand up please.

the more power that the govt has in dictating 'public order', the edgier this becomes

its a blank canvas that allows the administration to blanket control the state