Fifth Meeting

Thursday, November 30, 2000

Meeting Agenda

1. Matters relating to the Constitution of Japan (A vision for Japan in the 21st century)

After statements were heard from Mr. ISHIHARA Shintaro and Ms SAKURAI Yoshiko concerning the above matters, questions were put to them.

Informants:


Members who put questions to Mr. ISHIHARA

Members who put questions to Ms SAKURAI


Main points of Mr. ISHIHARA's statement

Introduction

Judging by recent trends in Japan and Europe, it may be historically inevitable that, after suffering the ravages of war, it takes fifty years for a people to regain its autonomy.

1. Since the Constitution of Japan ceased to be called the "MacArthur Constitution" and became known as the "Peace Constitution," it has become a symbol of a single ideal, and the public are under the illusion that that ideal is a reality. This is an extremely dangerous situation.

2. We must review the circumstances under which the Constitution was enacted and--going even farther back--examine Japanese and world history in the modern era, in order to gain an accurate understanding of who played the central role in making the Constitution of Japan, and what their intentions were.

3. Every state and every nation has its own individual character, and they compete with one another to give full expression to their individuality. A nation that loses its power of self-determination will be ruined.

4. America feared Japan's strength and made the Japanese Constitution in order to hold that strength in check. It contains almost no reflection of the will and the autonomy of the Japanese people.

5. As the body that represents the people, the Diet should pass a resolution to "negate" the Constitution of Japan on the grounds that it lacks historical legitimacy, and on that basis it should commence the work of making a new constitution.  


Main points of questions put to Mr. ISHIHARA

YANAGISAWA Hakuo (Liberal Democratic Party)

>> Since the time when you were a Member of the Diet, have you changed your views on such questions as the revision of Article 9, and whether foreigners should be able to vote in local elections?

>> Do you think that the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty should be changed so as to strengthen the right of collective self-defense, or do you think that it should be developed into a regional collective security system in Asia?
 

SHIMA Satoshi (Democratic Party of Japan and Club of Independents)

>> In promoting decentralization, how should roles be shared between the regional and central governments?

>> I think that, in the future, Japan should become a federal state and the regional governments should be granted broad rights to enact laws and levy taxes. What is your view of this?

>> I believe we should revise the existing parliamentary cabinet system and introduce public election of the prime minister. What is your view of this?
 

AKAMATSU Masao (New Komeito)

>> In your acceptance speech when you received a commendation for your longtime service as a Diet Member, you announced your resignation from the Diet because you were "disappointed with ideals of politics." Are you still equally "disappointed" today?

>> Which position do you take among the three represented in NAKAE Chomin's book Sansuijin Keirin Mondo (A Discourse by Three Drunkards on Government [1887]), namely, idealism, moderate realism, and power politics?
 

TAKEYAMA Yuriko (Liberal Party)

>> As one who has been a successful candidate for election to the House of Councillors from the national constituency, what is your assessment of the national constituency?

>> Why do you think the existing Constitution has never been revised?

>> I believe that history from the start of the modern era onwards is not being taught properly in the schools. What are your views in this regard?
 

YAMAGUCHI Tomio (Japanese Communist Party)

>> I believe that the Preamble to the existing Constitution provides a foundation for world peace and for peace in Asia. What is your view of this?

>> In the proposals for constitutional revision made some time ago by the Reimei no Kai, which you chaired, you called for the complete revision of Article 9. Is that still the case?

>> There is a movement under way in many countries to spread the ideals of Article 9 throughout the world. How do you evaluate this?
 

ABE Tomoko (Social Democratic Party)

>> I believe that the existing Constitution has had the support of the people from the time of its enactment. Furthermore, the Rescript issued by the Emperor to announce its promulgation speaks of his resolve to put the Constitution into practice correctly. What are your views on these two points?

>> Do you think that the territorial issues that Japan faces should be settled by armed force? Also, do you think that military conscription is necessary for that purpose?
 

KONDO Motohiko (21st Century Club)

>> I think that efforts are needed to educate the public about the Constitution. In your opinion, what methods are there for doing this effectively?

>> Am I correct in understanding that by the "negation" and rethinking of the existing Constitution, you mean "negation" of the Constitution as a whole?
 

KOIKE Yuriko (New Conservative Party)

>> Would you agree that there is little awareness among the Japanese regarding territory?

>> In future, what does Japan's national strategy require?
 

Main points of Ms SAKURAI's statement

1. Changes in Japan's international environment

(a) The dual structure of the international community's value system

>> The 21st century will be an era in which values that are universal to humanity are intermixed in complex ways with national interests. As the Kosovo conflict makes clear, in the international community of the 21st century, oppression and human rights problems can no longer be regarded as the internal affairs of a state. At the same time, however, when one nation intervenes in the affairs of another nation on humanitarian grounds, the reality is that it cannot help taking its own national interests into account.

>> What is required of Japan in the 21st century is a sense of values that transcends national borders and places importance on individual human beings. We should ensure that humanitarian issues are reflected in politics by, for example, taking up the question of Tibet with the Chinese.

(b) Changes in the United States, and a time of trial for Japan

>> In October of this year, a bipartisan think tank in the United States issued a study entitled "The United States and Japan: Advancing Toward a Mature Partnership." As an impediment to Japan-U.S. relations in the 21st century, this study cites the fact that Japan does not recognize the exercise of the right of collective self-defense. In its relationship with the United States, Japan should play a role from a standpoint of equality, as Britain does in its relationship with the United States.

2. Developing the public's capacity to think (the ability to grasp and analyze information, and access to information: from the Manchurian Incident to the HIV-contaminated blood products scandal)

>> In the past, Japan has not fostered the public's ability to think and debate issues for themselves, which requires that they have access to information. On questions from the Manchurian Incident to the HIV-contaminated blood products scandal, the public has been misled by distorted information, and this has led to mistakes. During the enactment of the existing Constitution, also, the public was not well-informed. Access to information should be written into the Constitution, because information is a tool that brings out the public's capacity to think.

3. A Japan that contributes to the world

(a) Environmental policy

>> The 21st century will see the rise of "soft" forms of power, such as providing information and stimulating international public opinion, rather than "hard" forms such as military and economic power. The field in which Japan can draw on the greatest "soft" power to influence the rest of the world is environmental policy. We should give a lead to the international community by doing all we can in the environmental sphere.

(b) Coexistence with people of other nationalities

>> Japan should pursue policies such as actively accepting refugees, in order to have a political system that is "friendly" to other nationalities.

4. A clear vision of Japan

>> Reflection on and dispassionate analysis of the past war are needed.

>> The Constitution is the cornerstone of the nation, and the people should debate it together. "The United States and Japan: Advancing Toward a Mature Partnership" calls on Japan to revise its Constitution, but in order to ensure that constitutional revision is not made under pressure from another country as in the past, I hope that you will provide the public with all the relevant information and conduct the debate in a transparent and fair process.

Main points of questions put to Ms SAKURAI

TAKAICHI Sanae (Liberal Democratic Party)

>> In debating the Constitution, we should recognize both that it is the government's role to protect the nation's sovereignty, its national interests, and the lives and property of the people, and that the people should be aware not only of their freedoms but also of their responsibilities. Also, "equality" should be understood to mean "equality of opportunity," not "equality of results." I would like to hear your comments in response to these opinions of mine.

>> The state should carry out rescue operations when Japanese nationals are caught up in conflicts, even outside the country. If the Constitution and the Self-Defense Forces Law pose obstacles to this, I think they should be amended. What is your view on this?

>> What do you think of the idea of assigning voting rights for foreigners who are permanent residents?

>> The Constitution contains few provisions concerning the duties of the people; instead, there is a distinct emphasis on rights. In order to ensure that rights are not emphasized excessively, I believe there is a need to clarify what is meant by "the public welfare," which is the basis for limitation of individual rights. What is your view of this?
 

EDANO Yukio (Democratic Party of Japan and Club of Independents)

>> In view of the Chinese government's current oppression of Tibet, I think we should take measures such as, at the least, cutting off our ODA to China. What is your view of this?

>> What is your evaluation of Japan's diplomatic policy toward Taiwan?

>> Even if one is prepared to accept military intervention for humanitarian reasons, before that question is even considered, should not Japan first change its diplomatic stance? For example, we should change our diplomatic stance on the issues of Tibet and Taiwan, where we are simply bowing to the wishes of the Chinese government.

>> You have said that the Japan-U.S. relationship should be an equal partnership, like that between the United States and Britain, but in what areas do you think that equality can be achieved?
 

EDA Yasuyuki (New Komeito)

>> In the past, education has been a means to an end, such as becoming "a rich country with a strong army" or an economic superpower. In the future, however, I believe that we should make education an end in itself. What is your opinion of the review of the Fundamental Law of Education?

>> From the viewpoint of making Japan an open democracy, what do you think of granting voting rights to foreign permanent residents?
 

FUJISHIMA Masayuki (Liberal Party)

>> Is there not a need for Japan and the United States to maintain an equal relationship in order to ensure stability in Asia?

>> What are your views on developments in China and on the Korean Peninsula?

>> How do you view the Cabinet Legislation Bureau's opinion that Japan "possesses the right of collective self-defense but cannot exercise it"?
 

HARUNA Naoyuki (Japanese Communist Party)

>> Would you not agree that Asia is not in a crisis but rather is experiencing a trend toward peace, as seen in the historic reconciliation between North and South Korea? Also, should not diplomatic efforts be made especially to encourage that trend?

>> Rather than revising Article 9, should it not be our first priority to reflect on and make reparations for the past wars of aggression? Also, other Asian nations have objected strongly to the Law Concerning Measures to Deal with Situations in Areas Surrounding Japan and related measures. Would you not agree that firmly upholding Article 9 is the best way to contribute to peace in Asia?

>> Would you not agree that Japan should pursue a pacifist course, and that Article 9, with its full commitment to pacifism, is significant in world history?
 

YAMAGUCHI Wakako (Social Democratic Party)

>> As one who has experienced the horrors of war, I believe that, to ensure that we never make the same mistake again, we should preserve the existing Constitution with its pacifist principles and that we should promote peace. What are your views on this?

>> I believe that with regard to the gap between the Constitution and reality, the problem lies in the fact that laws have not been enacted and policies have not been implemented in keeping with the ideals of the Constitution. What is your view in this regard?
 

KONDO Motohiko (21st Century Club)

>> As the reason why you favor constitutional revision, do you place more importance on the gap between the Constitution and reality, or on the fact that the Constitution was imposed?

>> What methods can you suggest to stimulate a nationwide grass-roots debate on the Constitution?
 

KOIKE Yuriko (New Conservative Party)

>> You advocate making the Japan-U.S. relationship more like that between the United States and Britain, but it seems to me that this will take time, in light of the different history and environment of the two relationships. What issues do you think must be addressed in order to achieve this?

>> I think it is important to establish a system of building a national strategy. What do you think can be done to provide the necessary groundwork for that?