The Liberal Democratic Party endorsed an outline Thursday of planned constitutional amendments, which stipulate the Emperor will remain the symbol of national unity and the Self-Defense Forces will be officially designated as Japan's military.
The outline was based on opinions summarized in April by 10 subcommittees of an LDP drafting panel on the new Constitution, headed by former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori.
The drafting committee will further discuss issues that include when Japan should engage in collective defense with its allies -- a right currently banned under the government's interpretation -- by stipulating provisions in separate new laws. The party also plans to hold 10 town meetings on the new Constitution nationwide to gather public opinion by the end of September, a committee member said.