Web Archive
Politicians
Hatoyama Yukio 鳩山由紀夫
The website sets out Hatoyama's views on constitutional revision. Hatoyama emphasizes the importance of Japan's cooperation with Asian countries and potential economic unification among the countries. He proposes specifying the right of self-defense in the revised constitution and expanding the scope of the SDF's involvement in international cooperation. He also states that Japan should adopt a unicameral system and that executive power should be returned to the prime minister.
The website includes minutes of the meetings of the Diet's Commission on the Constitution and statements made by Yoshikawa regarding constitutional revision. She opposes the report submitted by the research committee on the Constitution by the House of Councilors (参議院憲法調査会報告書), defends the current Preamble and Article 9; recommends structural change of the Diet and its electoral methods. She also sees the protection of privacy and human rights as tools used by advocates of constitutional revision to gain public backing for constitutional change and revision of Article 9.
Ishihara Hirotaka 石原宏高
The website contains a discussion regarding Article 9 and collective self-defense by Ishihara and Yamamoto Tatsuhiko. Ishihara states that the right of collective self-defense should be allowed and stipulated in a revised Article 9. He also states, however, that more discussion is necessary to prevent reckless war.
The website states Ishihara's opinion regarding the constitution and constitutional revision using a discussion format with Yamamoto (山本龍彦) regarding Article 9. Other topics of discussion include the imposition of the constitution by the United States on Japan; the need for an environmental protection clause in the constitution; public election of prime minister; and the right to privacy.
Ishihara Shintaro 石原慎太郎
This website sets out the views of Ishihara Shintarō, (Governor of Tokyo Prefecture) on a range of topics, including constitutional revision. Ishihara considers the current constitution to have been imposed upon Japan by the United States, and believes that Japan should discard draft a new document autonomously. The new constitution should state that the emperor is the head of the country, and that the prime minister should be popularly elected.
Iwai Kuniomi 岩井国臣
The website states Iwai's philosophy and his opinion regarding the emperor. He states that the current constitution was forced on Japan by the United States, and that it should be revised to reflect Japanese tradition and culture. He also states that the core of a new constitution must be based on Japanese wisdom and traditions. He believes that one important idea in Japanese culture, that of accepting difference, will be essential in building a new world civilization.
Nakayama Taro 中山太郎
The website explains the general proceedings and background of the Research Commission on the Constitution. Nakayama is the leader of the Research Commission on the Constitution, House of Representatives. The website mentions the history of the current constitution, discusses constitutions of other countries, and highlights the facts that most countries have revised their constitutions to respond to changing circumstances, and discusses the issue of national defense.
The website explains the general history and proceedings behind the current constitution with Nakayama's own interpretation of events. Nakayama thinks that the Japanese constitution should be revised, because it was written by the United States and does not reflect Japan’s own history, values, or traditions.
This site states Nakayama's views toward constitutional revision, and explains the general proceedings and background of the Research Commission on the Constitution. It states that the current constitution leaves too much scope for interpretation leading to contradictions between the constitution and actions (as in the case when the Supreme Court justified an obviously unconstitutional decision of lowering the salary of all judges in Japan.) The site also explains how the Research Commission studied foreign constitutions and found that all had revised their constitutions. It argues against allowing citizens to vote for the prime minister (首相公選), using Israel & England as examples, and also claims the need for heightened awareness and interest of the public in constitutional revision.
The website states Nakayama's views on the constitution and raises issues pertinent to constitutional revision. It proposes that the wide scope for interpretation of the constitution only deprives citizens of their rights. It also states that 1. the development of the Internet is raising a question regarding privacy rights; 2. the use of genetic technology and bioethics should be discussed in constitutional revision; 3. a law regarding national referendum should be established prior to constitutional revision; 4. if the prime minister is to be publicly elected in the new constitution, the current no-confidence vote by the Diet will need to be reconsidered; 5. there have been nine empresses in Japan's history, but choosing an appropriate spouse (for Princess Aiko) will be a difficult task.
Ohno Yoshinori 大野功統
The website states Ohno's recommendations regarding revising the constitution. It states that Japan should change article 9 in order to expand the role of the SDF, because it needs military alliances with other countries for self-defense. Ohno also thinks that Japan should create laws for environmental protection and protection of personal privacy, reform the prefectural and national government systems, and increase citizens' duties in order to balance citizens' rights and duties.
Ozawa Ichiro 小沢一郎
The website explains Ozawa's views regarding constitutional revision, with specific recommendations for the new constitution. Ozawa holds that the current constitution was created under foreign occupation and does not reflect the views and history of Japan, and that a constitution created under an occupation is invalid. He also states that the Preamble should be rewritten; the emperor should be declared the head of state; Japan must revise article 9 to permit the right of self-defense by the SDF; and the UN should establish military forces. In addition, Ozawa proposes revising the notion of "public welfare" (公共の福祉), to include provisions for new human rights; abolishing the House of Councilors' elections, drastically revising Chapter 4 of the constitution regarding the Diet; establishing a court of justice for constitutional revision; and revising the procedure for constitutional revision.
Yamazaki Taku 山崎拓
This website introduces excerpts from a book by Yamazaki (Special Advisor to the House of Representatives' Research Commission on Constitutional Revision). It also links to a discussion board covering issues of constitutional revision. Yamazaki believes that Japan should increase its military strength for the purpose of self defense, recognize the necessity of military alliances, make the prime minister Commander in Chief, eliminate the second clause of Article 9, mention both "the people" and "emperor" in the Preamble, establish new human rights clauses, strengthen the Diet and Cabinet, discuss legal matters regarding constitutional revision, and restructure the judiciary system, as well as the financial system.
Yasuoka Okiharu 保岡興治
This website states Yasuoka's views on the constitution and constitutional revision. It also includes concise summaries by many renowned scholars and politicians on their perspectives on constitutional revision, the right of collective self-defense, and popular election of the prime minister. Yasuoka respects the three fundamental principles in the current constitution – popular sovereignty, fundamental human rights, and pacifism. However, he also states that the current constitution should be revised to address emergencies and specify Japan's right to maintain military power for self defense and international peace. In addition, he advocates that Japan rewrite the constitution in proper Japanese; rewrite the Preamble, while retaining the symbolic status of the emperor; include clauses for environmental protection, privacy, new human rights, and the right to knowledge; make the constitution reflect Japan's history, culture, and values; and discuss structural change of the political system.
Yoshikawa Haruko 吉川春子
This website explains Yoshikawa's views regarding constitutional revision, and includes articles regarding meetings, trips, and conventions she attended in which constitutional revision was discussed. She opposes allowing the SDF to engage in overseas military actions, changing Article 9, or making the emperor the head of state, but supports the empress system.
