Japan split over revision to pacifist constitution

[Jesus Malverde]

Japan marked the 67th anniversary of its postwar constitution Saturday with growing debate over whether to revise the war-renouncing charter in line with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push for an expanded role for the military.

The ruling conservative party has long advocated revision but been unable to sway public opinion. Now Abe is proposing that the government reinterpret the constitution to give the military more prominence without having to win public approval for the revisions.

His push, backed by the U.S. which wants Japan to bear a greater burden of its own defense, has upset the liberals who see it as undermining the constitution and democratic processes.

Hundreds of people gathered at a Tokyo rally commemorating Constitution Day, a national holiday.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20140503/japan-constitution-959355b9b2.html

[Oakenshield]

1. It would be a mistake to let the Japanese become a military power once more.

Many of their right-wing politicians refuse to recognize any crimes their government committed during World War 2.