Momentum for constitutional amendments, which grew under the administrations of former Prime Ministers Junichiro Koizumi and Shinzo Abe, has diminished following the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's drubbing in the July 29 Upper House election and pro-amendment Abe's surprise resignation in September.
In fact, public opinion has become increasingly cautious about revising the Constitution, in particular the war-renouncing Article 9, despite the government's enthusiasm.
An opinion poll conducted last spring by the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper showed 46 percent of the respondents in favor of constitutional amendments and 39 percent against. Support had decreased 9 points from a year earlier — the third consecutive yearly decline — while opposition had increased 7 points. The newspaper said the increasing likelihood that the amendment push might succeed made some supporters cautious.