Marking 60th anniversary of Japan's pacifist constitution, Abe calls for revision
TOKYO -- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe marked the 60th anniversary of Japan's pacifist postwar Constitution on Wednesday by saying that the country's supreme law is outdated and badly in need of reform.
Overhauling the Japanese constitution, which was penned by U.S. occupation forces after World War II in 1947, has been a key push of the nationalistic Abe, who wants to expand the role of the country's military and bolster patriotism at home.
At a tree planting ceremony near parliament to celebrate the document's anniversary, Abe reiterated the need for change.
"Under the current circumstances, I strongly hope that debate on a Constitution that describes how the country should be and establishes a new nation is actively carried out with the people," Abe said.
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Overhauling the Japanese constitution, which was penned by U.S. occupation forces after World War II in 1947, has been a key push of the nationalistic Abe, who wants to expand the role of the country's military and bolster patriotism at home.
At a tree planting ceremony near parliament to celebrate the document's anniversary, Abe reiterated the need for change.
"Under the current circumstances, I strongly hope that debate on a Constitution that describes how the country should be and establishes a new nation is actively carried out with the people," Abe said.