The Diet is finally launching debate on constitutional issues, breaking a long-standing political taboo. As the ordinary Diet session opened Jan. 20, both houses created panels to conduct the first parliamentary debate on the pros and cons of constitutional amendments. All political parties will take part in the debate, even though the Japan Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party had opposed establishment of the panels.

The basic tenets of the Constitution -- that sovereignty rests with the people, that human rights must be respected and that the nation forever renounces war -- should be preserved. While keeping this in mind, the lawmakers hopefully will debate from a broad perspective in the attempt to establish the nation's new basic framework and a new relationship between the state and the people.

The 50-member Lower House panel and the 45-member Upper House panel have no power to initiate legislative action for amending the Constitution. Their job is to conduct debate on constitutional issues for about five years and then compile a report.