The Liberal Democratic Party, which has long claimed that the present pacifist Constitution was imposed on the Japanese people by the Occupation Forces, has announced a draft revision. Although the text begins promisingly enough with "The Japanese people, based on their own will and determination, establish a new Constitution as the sovereign," it goes on to gut the pacifist principle by deleting the crucial part of the war-renouncing Article 9. It is also short on grand ideas that would guide the nation in the international community.

A constitution should make clear what ideals and goals the nation strives to achieve. The only thing clear from the draft is that Japan would create a full-fledged military force and that it would take part in "activities jointly carried out internationally to ensure peace and stability in the international community." This could lead to military operations abroad without restraint.

The preamble of the LDP draft states in part: "Basic principles -- the idea of popular sovereignty, democracy, liberalism, respect for basic human rights, pacifism and the idea of seeking international harmony -- shall be inherited as inalterable values." It also says: "Sincerely wishing for international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people will cooperate with other nations to realize it. While recognizing the existence of a variety of values in the international community, the people will make incessant efforts to eliminate oppression and the violation of human rights."