Japan's LDP Pushes for Constitutional Recognition of Self-Defense Forces; Opposition Parties Remain Skeptical

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has expressed its intention to accelerate the push for constitutional amendment, with a focus on explicitly enshrining the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in the constitution.
Kyodo News reported that the LDP emphasized during a session of the House of Representatives' Commission on the Constitution held today that it would promptly draft an amendment to include the Self-Defense Forces in Article 9 of the Constitution.
Article 9, Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Japanese Constitution are the core provisions that have earned it the nickname "Peace Constitution," as they stipulate the permanent renunciation of war and the use of force, as well as the prohibition of maintaining land, sea, and air forces or recognizing the right of belligerency.
The LDP is reportedly pushing for a plan to maintain Paragraph 1, which concerns the renunciation of war, and Paragraph 2, which states that "land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will not be maintained" and that "the right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized," while newly establishing "Article 9-2" to explicitly mention the Self-Defense Forces.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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