Takaichi pushes constitutional reform drive ahead of 80th anniversary

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae has reaffirmed her commitment to revising the country's constitution ahead of its 80th anniversary next year, with plans to launch formal discussions at an extraordinary session of the National Assembly next month.

According to Yonhap and Kyodo News, Takaichi reiterated her intention to amend the current constitution, citing next year's 80th anniversary of its enactment as a milestone. She conveyed the message Thursday in remarks sent to a gathering of Nippon Kaigi, a conservative advocacy group, in her capacity as Liberal Democratic Party leader.

"The constitution is what embodies the nation's ideal form," she said, signaling that the LDP would push constitutional reform discussions in earnest at the extraordinary National Assembly session opening in early October.

The message was read aloud on her behalf by Arimura Haruko, a former LDP general council chairwoman.

Arimura said the constitution "should be revised regularly in line with the demands of the times."

Takaichi has set a goal of fleshing out the contours of a constitutional amendment package — centered on rebuilding a "strong Japan" — by the time the LDP holds its party convention next spring.

Since the Abe Shinzo administration in 2018, the LDP has pursued four key constitutional revision items: formally enshrining the Self-Defense Forces in the constitution, adding an emergency powers clause, resolving merged electoral districts, and strengthening education provisions. Of these, the explicit constitutional recognition of the Self-Defense Forces is considered the centerpiece.