Deviating from its economic agenda, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Thursday called for revising the Constitution to designate the Emperor as "head of state" instead of "symbol of the state" — a move that would end his figurehead status and possibly give him actual political and government-related powers.

The opposition parties Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) and Your Party backed the LDP's call in the Lower House committee on constitutional revision, which was holding its first meeting since the LDP returned to power last December.

The three parties also agreed in principle at the meeting that Japan should be allowed to exercise its right to collective self-defense, which is limited by the war-renouncing Article 9.