The official campaign for the July 10 Upper House election has begun. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is trying to make the continuation of his economic policies a central issue in the race. The opposition parties, on the other hand, are seeking voters' support for their efforts to prevent revision of the Constitution.
If the ruling coalition and other forces rallying behind the Abe administration win more than two-thirds of the Upper House seats, they will clear the requirement needed to initiate a constitutional amendment — a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the Diet — raising the prospect of the Constitution being revised, as Abe and the Liberal Democratic Party have eagerly sought.
An election is an act by the people to give power to the majority party. The majority party would be accused of unethical behavior if it breaks its campaign promises. But voters can only punish such a party by depriving it of a legislative majority in the next election. After returning to power in 2012, the Abe administration experienced two national elections — the 2013 Upper House campaign and the 2014 Lower House race.