Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday reiterated his push for a revision of the Constitution to formalize the legal status of the Self-Defense Forces, despite his dream to revise the charter having been increasingly overshadowed by a recent spate of scandals that have paralyzed the Diet and dominated domestic headlines.
"We must codify the status of the SDF, which protects Japan's independence and peace, and put an end to talk of their unconstitutionality," Abe said in a video message shown at a gathering organized by a citizens' group with ties to right-wing lobbyist group Japan Conference (Nippon Kaigi).
Thursday marked the 71st anniversary of the entry into force of the Constitution, which nationalists here regard as a humiliating imposition by the U.S.-led occupation.