Abe’s address comes days after he visited the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine. (Photo: AFP)
(VOVworld) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said that Japan’s post-World War II Constitution, which limits its military to self-defence, can be amended by 2020.
In his New Year address on Wednesday, Abe predicted the constitution ‘will have been revised’ by 2020 when Tokyo hosts the Summer Olympics. He said that because as it has been 68 years since its enactment, it’s time now for Japan to take a big step toward a new nation-building effort. Abe said Japan’s elevated status can help Asia become a “balanced and stable region”.
Regarding his security policy, Abe promised to resolutely protect Japan’s territory, including its sea and air space.
The same day, Japan’s media reported that the Japanese Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, Yoshitaka Shindo, visited Yasukuni Shrine 6 days after Abe’s visit.