Since the Upper House election campaign kicked into gear on June 22, the ruling bloc has been fighting to draw voters' attention away from its goal of constitutional amendment and toward the economy.

The ruling coalition claims that the time is not right to discuss a revision, but many people are unconvinced, as the Liberal Democratic Party has already signaled its post-election plans for amending the nation’s charter. Rather than targeting the Constitution’s pacifist Article 9, it seems the LDP will focus instead on an emergency powers amendment, a prospect that has alarmed legal experts.

LDP Vice President Masahiko Komura said Tuesday the Diet should begin deliberating to decide which constitutional provisions should be revised at the extraordinary Diet session to be held after Sunday's Upper House election.