A Japanese parliamentary committee yesterday endorsed a landmark report that urges revisions to the country's post-World War II Constitution, including changes to its pacifist provisions.
The war-renouncing Constitution -- drafted by US occupation forces and unchanged since 1947 -- bars the use of military force in settling international disputes and prohibits maintaining armed forces for warfare.
The Japanese government has interpreted that to mean the nation can maintain troops for self-defense, which have developed into one of the most modern, best-equipped militaries in the world.
The 50-member panel at parliament's more powerful Lower House endorsed the report, ending five years of discussions. The parliament's other chamber is also working on a similar report.
The report, which was submitted to the speaker of the house later yesterday, was largely aimed at discussing key principles in the Constitution and does not mean an immediate revision.
Public support for amending the Constitution has swelled as Japan raises its international military and diplomatic profile. Recent newspaper polls showed about half of the Japanese supported changing the pacifist provisions.
Japan dispatched non-combat troops to Iraq last year in its first deployment to a combat zone since 1945, and is relaxing its ban on arms exports to facilitate joint construction of a missile defense program with the US.
"The proposal by the panel wraps up our work," said panel chairman Taro Nakayama, a senior member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. "We believe the report marks a new phase in the discussions of our country's Constitution."
The 700-page report said the majority of panel members supported keeping the war-renouncing Article 9, but stressed the need to spell out the right to self-defense and the Self-Defense Forces, Kyodo News agency reported. They also agreed to specify the definition of defense emergencies and a framework for regional security in Asia.
Panel members also said the Constitution's preamble should be rewritten to reflect Japan's history, traditions and culture. They supported the constitutional principles of popular sovereignty, peace and basic human rights.
The panel also supported an amendment to allow women to assume the imperial throne, while keeping the emperor's status as the symbol of state.
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