OYAMA, Shizuoka Pref. -- Many of the business leaders who gathered here for an annual seminar organized by the Japan Federation of Economic Organizations (Keidanren) called for an amendment to Article 9 of the Constitution.

During a session on the theme on the second day of the seminar, Takashi Imai, chairman of Keidanren, said Article 9, which literally prohibits Japan from possessing a military force, should be changed.

"I welcome the establishment of constitutional research panels in both chambers of the Diet (in January), where lawmakers started debate over reviewing the supreme code, although such discussion had been a taboo for a long time," said Imai, who is also the chairman of Nippon Steel Corp.

Noting that the ultimate target of the discussion should be Article 9, Imai said the article should be amended in order to dispel misgivings about Self-Defense Forces participation in U.N.-led peacekeeping operations.

But he also predicted the public would be divided over whether Japan should join multinational forces that are not controlled by the U.N.

Takahide Sakurai, chairman of Dai-ichi Mutual Life Insurance Co., said younger generations must be involved in the constitutional review process and the possible revision.

Sakurai said he is worried about what younger generations that have no experience of war might be tempted to do if Japan spells out its right to defense.

He also said protection of national interests may be one reasonable ground to make young people understand why Article 9 should be amended.

About 20 business leaders participated in the three-day annual Keidanren summer seminar, which ends today.