Japanese voters headed to the polls Sunday to cast their ballot in a parliamentary election with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling party expected to cruise to victory despite lukewarm support.
Advertisement
In a poll last week, 41 percent said they disapproved of Abe’s economic policies, but support his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a less-than-resounding 37 percent, far outpacing 11 percent for the Democratic Party.
Combined with other conservative politicians, the coalition has a two-thirds majority in the upper house, which is needed to propose any referendum to change the constitution, written by the US after Japan’s defeat in World War II. The constitution has a clause that limits Japan’s well-equipped army, navy and air force to self-defense.
“For the first time in Japan’s post-war history, the Japanese people have given a prime minister a “green light” to begin a debate in the national parliament on revising the constitution”, Henry said. It took effect in 1947.
That is one seat short of the 162 that represents a two-thirds majority in the Upper House.
“Abe has a chance to rewrite the constitution, but it is highly unlikely that he will use it, as it will result in the total polarization of the country”, he told Sputnik.
In Japan, financial market players fear amending the charter will divert Mr Abe’s energy from reviving the stuttering economy.
Young voters were credited with helping raise overall voter turnout to 54.7%, about 2 percentage points higher than in 2013 elections.
“I voted hoping the economy of the country gets better”, Jiro Yonehara, a “salaryman”, as company employees are called, said after emerging from a voting booth. With signs the strategy is failing, the government plans to compile a post-election stimulus package that could exceed ¥10 trillion (S$134 billion). He said some members of the opposition may defect to the ruling coalition, as some agree with Abe’s views.
The Japanese Communist Party, together with several other parties, made efforts to safeguard the constitution and won six seats during the election.
Abe’s coalition already has a super-majority in the lower house.
In China, Xinhua, the state news agency, warned in a commentary Monday that the election results “could pose a danger to Japan and regional stability”.
“I don’t think voters were asked to express pros and cons on the constitution in this election”, he said.
Any proposed change to the American-written constitution would require a two-thirds majority in both houses of the Diet and a 50% majority in a popular referendum.
Article 9 is a clause in the national constitution of Japan outlawing war as a means to settle global disputes involving the state.
Advertisement
Also Tuesday, when asked if he wants to continue as finance minister, Aso said he can’t comment as he isn’t responsible for appointing ministers.
