Op-ed: Will pacifist sentiments of Japanese impede constitutional reform?

Japan is moving slowly towards a first-ever constitutional amendment. In a recent video address to a pro-constitutional revision lobby group on the Constitution Day public holiday, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared “the time is ripe” to begin a debate on possible change. The amendment would target Article 9 of the Basic Law ("Renunciation of War"). The PM suggested that the provision would retain its war-renouncing character. Yet, the pacifist sentiments of a majority of the Japanese people may be the greatest obstacle to passing any constitutional reform.
Read the full article here: