WORLD / ASIA-PACIFIC: Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has adopted its policy framework for 2026, placing constitutional revision at the center of its political agenda despite growing domestic opposition.
Japanese Prime Minister and LDP President Sanae Takaichi expressed support for constitutional change, stating on Sunday that “Voluntary constitutional revision crafted by the Japanese people is a core party principle. The time has come,” according to the Asahi Shimbun. She also emphasized accelerating parliamentary discussions on the issue.
The LDP’s newly adopted policies include a plan to submit a draft constitutional amendment to Japan’s parliament, the Diet. Under Japan’s system, constitutional revision requires approval by the Diet before being put to a national referendum. The party’s roadmap aims to formalize and advance debate on the issue within the legislature.
Takaichi also indicated hopes of making progress toward submitting a constitutional amendment motion at next year’s party congress. The LDP’s “new vision” document similarly highlighted constitutional revision as increasingly important in light of national security concerns.
Analysts note that the timeline outlined by Takaichi is unusual. Xiang Haoyu, a research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times that establishing a drafting committee would mark the formal beginning of the process and help shape its direction. He added that once a draft is prepared and submitted to the Diet, the revision process would move forward within a structured framework.
Xiang also warned that efforts to revise Japan’s pacifist Constitution—especially Article 9, which restricts military capabilities—could have broader security implications. He said such moves may affect both Japan’s defense posture and regional stability, referencing past incidents involving Japan’s Self-Defense Forces.
He further argued that constitutional revision is not only a domestic matter but also tied to historical interpretation and regional concerns, with potential spillover effects on neighboring countries’ security perceptions.
Article 9 of Japan’s Constitution states that the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes, Xinhua reported. It also outlines the prohibition of maintaining war potential and denies the state’s right of belligerency, according to Japan’s Ministry of Defense.
At the party convention, the LDP unveiled its “new vision” marking its 70th anniversary, stating that “constitutional revision is a matter of vital necessity,” according to Jiji Press.
Meanwhile, public opposition has been visible. A rally titled “Emergency Action to Protect the Peace Constitution” was held near the Diet building, drawing an estimated 30,000 participants, many of them young people and women. Protesters called for preserving the current constitution and opposing militarization, chanting slogans such as “Prime Minister Takaichi, uphold the Constitution” and “Peace cannot be built through military force.”
Participants also read aloud parts of the Constitution’s preamble and Article 9, while similar coordinated demonstrations took place at 137 locations across Japan, according to Tokyo Shimbun.
Earlier this year, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded to comments by Takaichi regarding constitutional change, stating that Japan must reflect on its wartime history and international obligations under documents such as the Cairo Declaration, Potsdam Proclamation, and Instrument of Surrender, which define its post-war responsibilities.
Lin added that Japan’s constitutional revision efforts are closely watched by neighboring countries and the international community, urging Japan to follow a peaceful development path and earn trust through concrete actions.
