Japanese PM Abe wants to revise pacifist Constitution

日아베 "헌법 9조에 자위대 존재 명기…2020년 새헌법시행 목표“
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says he wants to put a revised Constitution into force in 2020, when Tokyo will host the Olympics.
It's the first time he has laid out a clear timetable for a revision to the country's postwar pacifist Constitution.
Ro Aram has the details.
The Japanese Prime Minister said acknowledging the existence of the country's Self Defense Forces should be done now to finally end all doubt about its legality.
The remarks were made in a video message delivered at a celebration of the charter's 70th anniversary on Wednesday.
However, a possible revision to Article 9 remains a divisive topic among the Japanese public.
It calls for the complete renunciation of war and cements Japan's postwar identity.
Abe's wish to amend it has been criticized by some Japanese people and neighboring South Korea and China, as a revision could allow Japan to engage in war.
The prime minister has previously said he wants to maintain the philosophy of pacifism and only change Article 9 to mention the SDF's existence.
He has also pointed to the gravity of tensions with North Korea.
Japan's military has recently joined U.S. forces for joint drills and sent its largest warship to escort an American supply ship.
Abe's proposals were met with protests from Japan's major opposition parties, who said Abe is threatening the fundamental principles of the Constitution.
In Japan, a Constitutional revision requires a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament as well as a majority of public support in a national referendum.
Ro Aram, Arirang News.

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