Alarmed by what they charge as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's lack of commitment to constitutionalism, a group of lawyers from around the country sent him a reminder of the principles of the Constitution — accompanied by chocolates — just in time for Valentine's Day on Friday.
The self-styled "group of junior lawyers defending tomorrow's freedom" sent Abe a copy of "Kenpo," a textbook on Japan's constitutional law by Nobuyoshi Ashibe, a University of Tokyo professor emeritus.
Group members said they decided to send the gift after Abe delivered policy speeches in the Diet mocking the principles of constitutionalism that restrict state power to ensure the rights and freedoms of individuals.