The Democratic Party of Japan has decided to include the phrases "exercising the right of self-defense" and "maintaining the Self-Defense Forces" in an interim report on constitutional reform scheduled to be compiled this month, party sources said Saturday.
In light of deliberations at its research group on constitutional amendments, the DPJ has judged that no party lawmakers or members will object to these points, the sources said.
Under these proposals, Japan would not abandon its right to exercise individual self-defense in the event of an attack, while the existence of the SDF would not violate the pacifist Constitution.
As for Article 9 of the Constitution, the opposition party is on the verge of reaching a consensus on maintaining its renunciation of war.