The special constitution research committee of the Lower House has started debate on establishing legislation to make it possible for Japan to hold a national referendum on revising the Constitution.
Debate on amendments is likely to accelerate because of the governing Liberal Democratic Party's landslide victory in the Sept. 11 general election and the election of pro-amendment Seiji Maehara as the leader of the top opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan. Japan is moving to establish a new political system, with public opinion generally supporting constitutional amendments.
In April, constitution panels of both houses completed five-year reviews and published their respective reports. In the current special Diet session, the Lower House established a special committee to discuss procedures for a referendum on constitutional amendments, with the support of the LDP, its junior coalition partner New Komeito and the DPJ.