PM Shinzo Abe Eyes on a 2/3 Super Majority to Revise Constitution

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated categorically clear that he would target a two-thirds super majority in this summer's House of Councillors elections, at a Sunday Debate over NHK, January 10.

Commenting on his outlook for the House of Councillors elections, Mr. Abe claimed it his own responsibility to gain a two-thirds super majority on the strength of his allied party Komeito and other parties, including Initiatives from Osaka, in favor of bringing the Constitution up for revision.

PM Abe stressed the significance of the seasoned coalition regime of Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, on the basis of which he said he would continue sustaining a stable administration.

With reference to the issue of Constitution revision, he stated:

"It is extremely hard to gain a 2/3 supermajority only by the two government parties. We need to solicit support from other parties in favor of having the Constitution revised. Initiatives from Osaka is a possibility; so are others. "

Chairman Yamaguchi of Komeito pointed out:

"The Constitution issue should not be a mere matter of coordinating pro-revision seats in the House of Councillors. It calls for some energy to mobilize support from all both in and out of power for bringing the Constitution for revision."

Chairman Okada of Democratic Party of Japan identified this summer's House of
Councillors elections a chance to block the domineering of the Abe administration. He said an all-opposition cooperation "in a huge block" would be indispensable to stand in the way of revising the Constitution.

Chairman Nakayama of Party for Japanese Kokoro stressed:

"The Constitution is the heart (Kokoro) of Japan and must be such that embodies the spirit of Japan. It is imperative that the people of Japan must themselves be party to creating a Constitution of their own".