Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has made no secret of his preference for amending the constitution. On May 3, he told an organization of constitutional reformers that he had been unable to reach that goal, yet the existing state of emergency had given renewed determination. He said the document defines the role of the government and others in times of emergency.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party increased a plan for constitutional amendments in 2018 and included a clause that would give cabinet powers in emergencies.
Several politicians, including members of the ruling LDP, have been arguing that lawmakers should now start discussing the details of such a change.
A NHK survey conducted in April revealed that 32 % of the respondents were in favor of an amendment to the Constitution, 24 % said it was not mandatory and 41 % simply could neither in the direction or in the other. This help rate is slightly higher compared to a similar survey conducted two years ago, which revealed that other people were almost also divided.
But this year’s vote also found that the number of people who say the constitutional overhaul is a precedent has decreased. This year, 78% of respondents said other issues come first. In 2018, this figure was 68%.