Democratic Party of Japan President Seiji Maehara said Monday that the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution should be revised in a way that allows Japan to exercise its right to both self-defense and collective defense.
The amendment should also pave the way for the Self-Defense Forces to use force under certain conditions, such as when emergencies occur in areas surrounding Japan and when the SDF participates in United Nations-led peacekeeping operations.
Maehara made the comment at the Japan National Press Club. The DPJ is preparing proposals for a constitutional amendment this month.
His view is likely to provoke a stir among dovish members of the DPJ who are cautious about amending Article 9.
With the ruling Liberal Democratic Party planning to map out a draft constitutional amendment on Nov. 22 at its 50th anniversary convention, the main opposition party's latest move is expected to accelerate the debate on revising the national charter.
The LDP advocates officially stipulating the SDF as a military by revising Clause 2 of Article 9, which prohibits the nation from having a military. The LDP also wants to spell out in the Constitution the nation's right to self-defense and collective defense, which allows it to come to the aid of allies.
"It's wrong that the right to self-defense is not stipulated in the Constitution," Maehara said, pointing out that currently the government only "interprets" the Constitution as giving Japan that right, and meanwhile Japan cannot exercise the right to engage in collective defense.
Maehara, however, added that Japan must put a curb on its right to collective defense and should not resort to force abroad, even if the Constitution is revised.