Majority of Japanese support constitutional revision: poll
· UPIMay 3 (Asia Today) -- Public support for revising Japan's Constitution remains above 50%, raising the possibility that debate over amendments could gain momentum under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, according to a new survey.
The poll, conducted by Yomiuri Shimbun from March 9 to April 15, found that 57% of respondents support constitutional revision, compared with 40% who oppose it. The survey gathered responses from 2,030 voters out of 3,000 contacted nationwide, with a response rate of 68%.
Support for revision declined slightly from 60% in last year's survey, while opposition rose from 36% to 40%, narrowing the gap between the two sides.
The most sensitive issue remains Article 9 of the Constitution.
On Paragraph 1, which renounces war, 80% said it should not be revised, unchanged from last year, while only 17% supported amendment. This suggests that most Japanese still oppose altering the symbolic foundation of the country's postwar pacifist identity.
Opinion was sharply divided over Paragraph 2, which prohibits maintaining armed forces and denies the right of belligerency. About 47% supported revising it, while 48% opposed revision, effectively a deadlock.
However, 60% supported a proposal by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to retain Paragraph 2 while adding explicit constitutional recognition of the Self-Defense Forces, compared with 35% opposed.
Shift toward defining Self-Defense Forces
The survey indicates that public debate is shifting from whether to abandon pacifism to how to formally define the legal status of the Self-Defense Forces in the Constitution.
Japan already maintains the Self-Defense Forces and has increased defense spending, strengthened counterstrike capabilities and expanded security cooperation with South Korea and the United States. However, the Constitution still states that "land, sea and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained," creating a gap between legal language and defense reality.
Public expectations for Takaichi's leadership were also notable. About 54% said they expect constitutional debate to proceed in the Diet during her tenure, compared with 26% under former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and 29% under former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
In addition, 71% of respondents said political parties should engage more actively in constitutional discussions, a figure that has remained above 70% for five consecutive years.
Implications for South Korea
For South Korea and other neighboring countries, the direction of Japan's constitutional debate warrants close attention.
If Japan maintains Paragraph 1 while explicitly recognizing the Self-Defense Forces, Tokyo is likely to frame the move as aligning legal frameworks with existing realities. However, such changes could raise concerns in countries including South Korea and China about Japan's expanding military role.
South Korea faces a complex balance. Japan's greater defense role may support trilateral security cooperation amid North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, China's military expansion and Russia's regional involvement. At the same time, historical tensions and concerns about Japan's remilitarization persist.
Analysts say South Korea should evaluate the details of any constitutional changes - including the scope of Self-Defense Forces activities and consultation mechanisms in a Korean Peninsula contingency - rather than taking a purely supportive or opposing stance.
Japan's constitutional debate is also expanding beyond security issues to include digital rights and regulation of online platforms. While it remains uncertain whether the Takaichi government will move forward with formal amendment proposals, the survey suggests growing public support for maintaining pacifism while clarifying the role of the Self-Defense Forces.
-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260503010000186