After the Upper House elections on July 21, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may try to revise the Constitution. This longstanding agenda is now within reach because the Liberal Democratic Party he heads might be able to rally the necessary two-thirds of votes in both chambers of the Diet.
But the LDP's current coalition partner, New Komeito, opposes revision, so it is a long shot. And even if Abe can clear that bar, any amendments must be approved by a majority of voters in a national referendum.
The Constitution has never been revised since it was enacted in 1947. Abe has been promoting amendment of its Article 96 to ease revision criteria, arguing that the hurdles are too high. If he gets his way, a simple majority in both houses of the Diet and a national referendum would suffice to amend the Constitution.