In light of the nuclear threat posed by North Korea, the government should alter its interpretation of the Constitution and allow Japan to exercise the right of collective defense, according to a report compiled Thursday by an advisory panel to Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi.
"The government's interpretation of the Constitution, barring the country from exercising the right of collective defense, is an obstacle," the report says.
It notes that many security experts believe Japan should change its interpretation to preserve the nation's peace and security.