Constitutional revision research project

May 3 - Promulgation of The Constitution of Japan (Nihon Koku Kenpō 日本国憲法).

January 1 - General MacArthur, in his New Year's address, states that The Constitution of Japan does not deny the right of self-defense.

January 23 - Prime Minister Yoshida Shigeru 吉田茂, in a policy speech, states that renouncing the right to war does not mean renouncing the right to self-defense.

September 8 - Japan signs the Treaty of Peace with Japan (San Furanshisuko Kōwa Jōyaku サンフランシスコ講和条約) together with the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty (Nichibei Anpo Jōyaku 日米安保条約; effective 4.28.1952).

October 17 - The Japanese government, in a meeting of the House of Councilors, rules that the concept of "military power" in the second clause of article 9 means the "power to engage in effective warfare in modern war".

January 9 - Kimura Tokutarō 木村篤太郎, Minister of Justice, announces his intention to pursue a sweeping revision of the Constitution.

November 25 - The Cabinet Legislative Bureau (Naikaku Hōseikyoku 内閣法制局) issues the government's view that "military power" as expressed in article 9 is defined as the possession of the organizational infrastructure as well as the equipment capable of being used in modern warfare.

February 11 - "Bill for a National Voting Law Referendum on Constitutional Revision" (Nihon Koku Kenpō Kaisei Kokumin Tōhyō Hōan 日本国憲法改正国民投票法案) drafted.

December 9 - The Liberal Party forms a Constitutional Research Group (Kenpō Chōsa Kai 憲法調査会) headed by Kishi Nobusuke 岸信介 (inaugurated 3.12.1954).

December 19 - Katayama Tetsu 片山哲 et al. form the Society of the Citizens’ Union for the Protection of the Constitution (Kenpō Yōgo Kokumin Rengō 憲法擁護国民連合or the Goken Rengō 護憲連合).

May 1 - U.S.-Japan Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement (the Mutual Security Agreement) signed.

June 3 - House of Councilors approves the passage of a resolution banning the overseas dispatch of the SDF

July 1 - The Defense Agency (Bōei Chō 防衛庁) is established. Inauguration of the SDF.

September 13 - The Progressive Party (Kaishintō 改進党) Constitutional Research Group issues its "Outline of Problems with the Current Constitution."

November 5 - The Liberal Party Constitutional Research Group issues its "Prospectus for the Revision Plan of the Japanese Constitution".

December 14 - The Japanese Democratic Party advocates the establishment of a Constitution Deliberative Council.

December 21 - The Cabinet Legislative Bureau revises its statement of 11.25.1952, issuing the view that the defense capabilities possessed by the SDF are presumed non-applicable to the definition of "military power".

May 21 - Nakasone Yasuhiro 中曽根康弘 proposes a resolution for the enactment of an autonomous constitution.

July 11 - Formation of the Alliance for an Autonomous Constitution (Jiyū Kenpō Kisei Dōmei 自由憲法期成同盟).

July 28 - PM Hatoyama Ichirō 鳩山一郎 designates the points of amendment for constitutional revision, emphasizing the drive for all-round reform.

October 13 - The two Socialist Parties are united, thus creating a base capable of preventing constitutional revision.

November 15 - The "conservative merger" of the Liberal and Democratic Parties, and their unanimous passage of a proposal containing an outline for "Autonomous Revision of the Current Constitution."

December 12 - Inauguration of the LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) Constitutional Research Group (Kenpō Chōsa Kai 憲法調査会).

February 11 - A group of LDP councilors, led by Kishi Nobusuke, submit a bill to the House of Representatives proposing that the Constitutional Research Group should
be legislated by council members.

April 28 - The LDP Constitutional Research Group publishes its "Interim Report on Problems with Constitutional Revision" (Chūkan Hōkoku – Kenpō Kaisei no Mondaiten  中間報告－憲法改正の問題点)

June 11 - The cabinet proclaims a Constitutional Research Group law that establishes the (LDP) Constitutional Research Group within the cabinet.

December 18 - Japan joins the United Nations.