Web Archive

Political Parties

Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) 民主党

This website sets out the DPJ's position on constitutional revision. It proposes structural revision of the Diet and a clear delineation of role and structure of the treasury, establishes new guidelines for genetic technology and clearer guidelines regarding national defense. Regarding Article 9, DPJ states that its spirit – pacifism (平和主義) – should be preserved, but in order to exercise collective security (as stated in the U.N. Charter), Japan should specify its support for: 1. the UN's collective security activities; 2. a restricted right of self-defense; 3. maximized restriction on use of arms in the event of revision of Article 9. The DPJ also emphasizes the importance of new human rights, including the right to privacy and the right to information, respect for the principle of pacifism, the importance of specifying the idea of "civilian control" in the new constitution, and the need to clarify Japan's role in the UN's collective security activities.

Japanese Communist Party (JCP) 共産党

The website states the views of the Communist Party towards constitutional revision, especially Article 9. A link in the website (http://www.jcp.or.jp/topics/yuuji.html) lists articles in chronological order on political and citizens' movements, mainly regarding Article 9. The party strongly opposes changing Article 9 to make the SDF a full military force and allowing the SDF to initiate or participate in overseas military actions. It argues that abolishing Article 9 will make Japan a militaristic country and will disrupt peace and security in East Asia. It adds that following the lead of the US is not always desirable.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 自民党

This website set out the LDP's stance on constitutional revision, proposing the following changes: 1. create a new Preamble; 2. achieve a "realistic peace," and prepare for emergencies by changing the SDF to a military force; 3. establish "new human rights," including the right to privacy; 4. establish a new definition of the "public;" 5. improve relations between the Diet and the Cabinet.

This website provides minutes of the meetings of the LDP Constitution Committee (自由民主党憲法調査会). Links for each meeting present a short summary of proceedings and comments of those in attendance. Each meeting addresses a different topic, such as the Preamble, Diet, Cabinet, judiciary, financial affairs, citizens' rights and responsibilities, prefectural governments, national defense, and the emperor.

New Komeito Party 公明党

This website explains Komeitō's "strengthening the constitution" (加憲 kaken) position on constitutional revision. The party holds that Japan should respect the current constitution, especially the three principles – popular sovereignty, permanent pacifism, and fundamental human rights – while making changes to adapt to the new challenges of the 21st century. The party holds that new rights (such as those regarding environmental rights and privacy) should be added. The party also holds that the right of collective self-defense should not be included in the revised constitution. Other topics include education, prefectural governance, and the national referendum. The Komeitō Party believes that a national referendum to approve or reject a new constitution should be based on approval or rejection of specific articles, not on the draft in its entirety.