Is Japan ready to shun the Peace Constitution?
May 19, 2010 As the “National Referendum Law” to revise Japan’s postwar Constitution went into effect on May 18, pro-amendment lobbies in the country have expedited their efforts to get over with the US-drafted supreme legal documents, which place stringent limits on the use of force. The national referendum law was enacted by the Shinzo Abe government in 2007 amid criticism by peace groups within Japan as well as strong remarks by neigbouring countries who viewed this development as aimed at turning Japan into a militarist state. The referendum law gave three years time to the people as well as political parties to discuss, debate, and unify their position on the issue. As the referendum law goes into effect, the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has spearheaded debates on amending the pacifist Constitution since its establishment in 1955, prepares itself to submit a draft proposal of constitutional revisions in the current Diet session. Also, in its election manif
