At long last, deliberations on the Constitution have started at both Houses of the Diet. It is not clear, however, what kind of conclusion will be reached and when. Indications are that the participants in those deliberations want to draw up a conclusion by 2003 at the latest. But this is by no means clear.

Every political party is supposed to have its views on the Constitution. Among members of the Social Democratic Party, the Communist Party and the Democratic Party are those who would like to "talk about the Constitution." This would be achieved by simply stating their opinions. Many of those people oppose any amendment to the Constitution, their ulterior motive being merely to prolong the debate. Such being the case, they need not take part in parliamentary discussions on the subject.

I, for one, believe that the existing Constitution, forced upon the Japanese government by the U.S. Occupation forces, is filled with deficiencies and errors, and, therefore, must be amended. I have held this view for more than half a century, since Feb. 13, 1946.