Over the past few weeks, swaths of prefectural and local governments have condemned Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's moves to reinterpret the Constitution, citing either disagreement with the aim or opposition to how it was carried out.

Nearly 160 governments, including Nagano and Gifu prefectures, the cities of Sapporo, Aomori, Naha, and Nago, and towns and villages in 26 of the 47 prefectures have formally voiced opposition in one form or another.

Such statements have no legal power. However, they do serve as a political warning to the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito that the move could haunt their candidates in local elections next spring.