The time has come for political parties to overcome their differences and join hands to revise the Constitution to suit the times, including by establishing of an "army" to protect Japan, its people and its territory, conservative lawmakers said Thursday.

Marking the 65th anniversary of the Constitution, lawmakers, academics, journalists and others gathered in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, to discuss the political parties' various positions on revising the charter. The event was organized by Minkan Kenpo Rincho, a citizen-based policy group with about 180 members, including conservative academics, journalists and legal experts.

The political world of Nagata-cho is divided over the amendment issue. The charter has remained intact since it took effect in 1947 after being drafted by the Allied Occupation Forces.