Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi Pushes for Constitutional Amendments

Following a surprising win in a recent snap election, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on Monday her intention to reignite discussions about amending Japan’s constitution via a referendum.

“The Constitution embodies the country’s ideals,” she stated. “Our goal is to create conditions that allow for a referendum on constitutional amendments as soon as possible.”

Takaichi is part of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has been a dominant force in Japanese politics. Despite its name, the party leans more conservative than other major political groups. Over the past few years, the LDP has faced challenges from public discontent regarding the economy and various political scandals.

In continuation of the party’s struggles, the LDP won a majority in the House of Commons for the first time in 15 years in October 2024, following the resignations of two prime ministers in succession. The party’s dominance appeared at risk, marking a potential shift in Japan’s political landscape.

However, the tide turned with Takaichi’s rise. She is on track to become Japan’s first female prime minister by October 2025. Her election victory was hard-fought, elevating her popularity significantly while her party’s ratings remained relatively low.

Takaichi risked a major political gamble. She expressed her willingness to allow voters to reconsider her plans, putting her newly acquired position on the line.

“I believe the people should decide if I should be prime minister,” she remarked, emphasizing the importance of voter sovereignty.

This gamble paid off in the February 8 election, where her party secured 310 out of the 456 lower house seats. With newfound public support and a revitalized party image, Takaichi is ready to tackle the contentious topic of constitutional reform.

In Japan, amending the constitution requires that all political factions in parliament submit proposed modifications to the respective Constitution Committees in each house. Both must approve the amendment with a two-thirds majority before a referendum can take place within 60 to 180 days, needing a majority of public votes for passage.

The Constitutional Review Committees have a substantial say in this process. Takaichi has criticized Yukio Edano, leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party, for steering discussions away from issues aligned with the LDP’s views.

The LDP aims to introduce two significant amendments: one to clarify the constitutional status of the Self-Defense Forces and another to extend Diet members’ terms during national emergencies.

Founded in 1954, the Self-Defense Forces’ legal grounding remains vague, especially with Article 9 of the Constitution, which renounces war and forbids Japan from maintaining military forces. This has led to the interpretation that Japan can have certain defensive capabilities without a standing army for offensive actions.

While this arrangement aligns with the pacifist outlook of many Japanese, the realities of modern security threats, including terrorism and regional tensions, bring into question the effectiveness of a primarily defensive force.

Conservatives like Takaichi argue that Japan’s security hinges on the possibility of projecting military power, rather than merely defensively waiting for threats. When she assumed office in November, Takaichi described any attack on Taiwan as a “situation that threatens Japan’s survival,” a statement that could allow the Self-Defense Forces to respond to a potential invasion.

Additionally, the LDP proposes extending terms for members during emergencies to enhance political stability in times of conflict.

Historically, Japan hasn’t passed any constitutional amendments, yet this may soon change. Recent surveys reveal an overwhelming 93% of last election winners support constitutional reforms, with 99% from the LDP backing it, while even the centrist Reform Alliance shows a 58% approval rating for amendments.

An amendment regarding the Self-Defense Forces enjoys over 90% support, although extending Diet terms during emergencies receives significantly lower backing at just 64%.

However, the Senate appears less enthusiastic about constitutional changes. With the next House of Councilors election set for 2028, Japanese officials are skeptical that any amendments will pass by then.