Japan′s royal family is getting back into
the debate over Tokyo′s swing to the right.
Emphasizing the need to uphold the nation′s
pacifist constitution...
Japan′s crown prince... also sided with
those who think the Japanese government needs
to take an honest look at the country′s
history.
Connie Kim has more.
Japan′s royal family is ramping up pressure
on the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo
Abe to uphold the country′s pacifist constitution,...
as Abe prepares to release a statement in
August marking the 70th anniversary of Japan′s
surrender in World War Two.
In a press conference this week marking his
birthday Crown Prince Naruhito emphasized
the need to "look back humbly on the past."
"I think that it is important... to correctly
pass on the tragic experiences and history
Japan pursued from the generation which experienced
the war to those without direct knowledge."
Prince Naruhito went on to underline the importance
of upholding the constitution.
His position is in stark contrast to Abe′s,
who wants to revise the pacifist constitution
and give the country the right to exercise
its right to collective self-defense, allowing
the Japanese military to aid allies under
attack.
"After going through a disastrous war, Japan
is maintaining peace and prosperity under
the constitution."
It′s not the first time the Japanese royal
family has called for preserving the current
constitution.
Back in December, Japan′s emperor said the
country should not forget about the precious
lives that were sacrificed during wartime.
: December 2014
"During World War Two, more than three million
people died.
We shall not put their lives to waste."
Analysts say, however, that a conflict is
likely, as the right-wing Cabinet, which decided
last July to change the interpretation of
the constitution,... is unlikely to budge
on the issue.
The Japanese government plans to finalize
items on the agenda for the constitutional
revision no later than this fall.
Connie Kim, Arirang News.
