A Lower House panel on constitutional reform last week ended five years of discussions after presenting a final report to the Speaker. An Upper House panel is due to submit a similar report later this month. It is the first time since the Constitution was promulgated in 1946 that the Diet has conducted such a comprehensive debate on the national charter.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which observes the 50th anniversary of its founding in November, is seeking a vote on a national referendum bill during an extraordinary Diet session this autumn. The bill, which would set ground rules for a constitutional amendment, is likely to receive the backing of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan.

There is, however, no compelling reason to hastily enact such procedural legislation at this stage. Prospects for a national referendum -- which must be proposed by at least two-thirds of Diet members -- remain clouded. The international environment surrounding Japan is also uncertain. For example, it is unclear whether Japan will be able to win enough support for its bid for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council.