On May 3, DP President Renho issued the following statement.
Today marks the 70th anniversary of the promulgation of the Japanese Constitution. Our Constitution, which is based on the three basic principles of “the sovereignty of the people”, “pacifism” and “respect for fundamental human rights”, has been nurtured by the Japanese people over many years. Post-war Japan’s freedom and democracy, and peace and prosperity have been created through the effects of the Japanese Constitution working in tandem with the Japanese people.
I would like to express my respect for this history as we celebrate Constitution Memorial Day.
In our party platform, the Democratic Party stated that we would resolutely hold fast to a constitutionalism based on freedom and democracy and work together with the people to conceive our vision of a future-oriented constitution that responds to the needs of the changing times. The Constitution should not be regarded as a sacred text, but we should proceed steadily with discussions without being influenced by the current trend of regarding constitutional revision as a prerequisite.
The Constitution is now facing a huge crisis.
Prime Minister Abe has continued to set forth his ambitions regarding constitutional revision. He has obtained a two-thirds majority in both Houses of the Diet and now even seems to show signs of being willing to revise the Constitution through sheer force of numbers. To allow use of the right to collective self-defense and in forcibly enacting security-related legislation by changing the interpretation of Constitution, show a total absence of understanding of the true meaning of constitutionalism and pacifism and have gravely damaged these principles. This administration is now embarking on constitutional revision.
Furthermore, the real purpose of the conspiracy bill currently
being debated in the Diet is to control the innermost thoughts of
the Japanese people and weaken freedom of expression. The bill that
carries the risk of damaging the fundamental human rights protected
by the Constitution is not an “anti-terrorism measure”, but despite
this, the administration has described it as such and is attempted
to force it through the Diet.
The Democratic Party will confront the reckless behavior of the Abe administration as it attempts to change the shape of Japan through sheer force of numbers. We must ensure that the forthcoming general election serves as an opportunity to stop the out-of-control Abe administration as they aim to carry out misguided constitutional revision.
On this Constitution Memorial Day, our party pledges once again that we will further deepen the values of “the sovereignty of the people”, “pacifism” and “respect for fundamental human rights” that form the basis of the Constitution, and work together with the Japanese people to conceive our vision of a future-oriented Constitution that responds to the needs of the changing times.