Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has reignited the national debate over constitutional reform in Japan on its postwar Constitution’s 78th anniversary. During a televised address, he urged citizens to join an open dialogue about modernising the 1947 charter. Ishiba argued that Japan must adapt its legal framework to meet contemporary security and governance challenges. He said the current Constitution, unchanged since its adoption, reflects outdated postwar assumptions. Constitutional reform in Japan, he insisted, is no longer a theoretical debate but a practical necessity.
Ishiba identified two priorities for constitutional revision that would directly impact Japan’s crisis response and military posture. First, he called for the explicit recognition of the Self-Defense Forces in the Constitution. Second, he proposed adding an emergency powers clause to empower the Cabinet during national crises. He addressed a conservative legal forum by video, saying these reforms would strengthen Japan’s democratic resilience. Constitutional reform in Japan, according to Ishiba, must balance transparency with decisive action.
Japan’s current Constitution, written under U.S. occupation, is known for its strong pacifist stance, especially in Article 9. That clause renounces war and forbids the use of armed force, even though the Self-Defense Forces have existed since 1954. Despite growing security threats, the Constitution has never been amended, largely due to the steep legal process. Any change requires two-thirds approval in both Diet chambers and a national referendum. Constitutional reform in Japan continues to face resistance from opposition parties and wary citizens.
Although the ruling Liberal Democratic Party supports reform, it no longer holds the required supermajority in the lower house. This weakens the government’s ability to initiate the amendment process before presenting it to voters. Meanwhile, rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait and North Korea’s missile activity have increased public concern over defense. Supporters argue that codifying the SDF will clarify Japan’s military role on the global stage. Critics warn that such changes could erode the pacifist legacy and democratic safeguards.
Still, Ishiba has urged unity, insisting the discussion should rise above political ideologies. He stressed the need for a national conversation grounded in fact and foresight. He also confirmed plans to meet President Donald Trump at the upcoming G7 Summit in Canada. Observers believe this meeting may influence Japan’s legal identity and global strategy. For now, constitutional reform in Japan remains a deeply divisive but increasingly urgent topic of national interest.
