A nationwide poll has found strong demand for active constitutional debate in Japan. The Yomiuri Shimbun conducted this public opinion survey recently. A total of 71 percent of respondents said political parties should engage in more discussion. This desire for active constitutional debate cut across all age groups. Furthermore, it transcended political party affiliations as well.
When broken down by party support, the numbers remained consistently high. For instance, 73 percent of ruling bloc supporters wanted more debate. Just under 70 percent of Centrist Reform Alliance supporters agreed with them. Similarly, 75 percent of Democratic Party for the People supporters shared this view. More than 80 percent of Sanseito supporters also wanted active constitutional debate. Team Mirai supporters showed just over 70 percent support. Even among unaffiliated respondents, 69 percent called for more discussion.
The poll also asked whether respondents believed the Constitution should be amended. Overall, 57 percent answered yes to that question. Within that group, an overwhelming 84 percent wanted active constitutional debate. Meanwhile, 40 percent of respondents said the Constitution should not be amended. Nevertheless, 55 percent of that group still desired more debate from political parties.
The survey then turned to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s term. Specifically, it asked whether constitutional revision discussions should progress during her tenure. A total of 54 percent said yes, while 43 percent said no. Among ruling bloc supporters, 68 percent answered yes. Only 29 percent of that group said no. Opposition party supporters showed varied responses. For Sanseito supporters, just under 70 percent said yes. For DPFP supporters, 60 percent answered affirmatively. Team Mirai supporters split evenly at about 50 percent. Just over 10 percent of Centrist Reform Alliance supporters said yes. Among unaffiliated voters, 45 percent answered yes.
Age played a significant role in these responses. Specifically, 64 percent of respondents aged 18 to 39 said yes. For those aged 40 to 59, 59 percent answered affirmatively. However, only 46 percent of people aged 60 and older said yes. Consequently, younger Japanese showed much stronger support for revision discussions.
The poll also asked about the commission discussion process. A total of 53 percent of respondents took a cautious position. They said specific amendments should not proceed without broad consensus. Meanwhile, 42 percent chose the opposite view. They favored proceeding with parties that support revision. Ruling bloc supporters split differently. Specifically, 52 percent of them favored proceeding with pro-revision parties. Among Sanseito supporters, just under 70 percent agreed with that approach. For DPFP supporters, 47 percent chose the same option. However, just under 20 percent of Centrist Reform Alliance supporters agreed.
Amending Japan’s Constitution requires several steps. First, both houses’ commissions must approve a draft amendment. Then, two-thirds of each house’s total membership must support it. Finally, a national referendum requires a majority vote. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party won 310 seats in February’s lower house election. That gives them more than two-thirds needed for proposal. Nevertheless, the ruling bloc does not hold an upper house majority. Therefore, active constitutional debate will need cross-party cooperation moving forward.
