Time to shake things up!

With the LDP back in command, it didn’t take long for Abe to start telling us what he’s going to do in his first days in power. And no surprises here. Let’s change the constitution to make it easier for us to change the constitution! Nuff said.

憲法改正規定緩和へ 「維新と協力」 自 民・安倍総裁

自民党の安倍晋三総裁は１６日夜のテレ ビ各局のインタビューで、衆院選で公約し た憲法改正について「まず９６条の（衆参 両院で３分の２を必要とする）改正規定 から変えようと考えている。３分の１を ちょっと超える国会議員が反対すれば国民 が指一本触れられないのはおかしい」と 語った。 安倍氏は、この方針について、ともに改 憲を唱える日本維新の会が「理解していた だいているのではないか。大きな方向で当 然協力していきたい」と強調。ただ、「参 院では３分の２にほど遠い。勢力の構築を どうしていくかよく考えないといけない」 とも述べた。 ９条改正で自衛隊を軍隊と認め国防軍と することに関しては「海外には自衛隊は軍 だと説明している。この矛盾をなくすのは 当然の義務だ」と述べた。 http://www.asahi.com/politics/update/1216/TKY201212160146.html

Relax restriction on amending the constitution –“We will cooperate with Restoration” - LDP’s president Abe

The LDP’s president Shinzo Abe said in a televised interview on the evening of the 16 th concerning his party’s electoral position on constitutional reform, “We are thinking to start with changing article 96, the reform regulation (both houses of Parliament must approve by 2/3 majority). If just over 1/3 of MPs oppose, isn’t it odd that the public won’t be able to touch it?” he said.

Abe said concerning this position, that the Japan Restoration Party, which is calling for constitutional reform, “I expect that they understand me. I hope to receive their cooperation on the bigger direction of things.” Still, “A 2/3 majority in the Upper House is a ways off. We must come up with a plan to build our power there.”

Regarding amending Article 9 of the constitution to acknowledge the Self-Defense Force as a national army of national defense, “The JDF is regarded as an army internationally. It is our duty to get rid of this contradiction.”