Abe's Window of Time for Amending Japan's Pacifist Constitution Narrows

As Prime Minister Shinzo Abe embarks on a push to amend the country’s pacifist constitution, he is running into the political realities of a resistant public and a rapidly closing window of opportunity. Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is expected in the fall to begin drafting language that would formally recognize the country’s Self-Defense Forces in the constitution, as Mr. Abe has proposed. Currently, Article 9 states that “land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained.” Amending the constitution requires two-thirds support in both houses of Parliament, followed by a national referendum in which a bare majority would suffice. The LDP controls parliament with support from a smaller coalition ally, but it’s unclear if Mr. Abe’s coalition partners would back the proposal, and LDP leaders acknowledge they don’t expect to win support from major opposition parties.
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