National Security and Human Rights: Japan’s Constitutional Revision Debate

Constitutional revision is high on the Japanese government’s agenda, with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) adopting an action plan for change in March this year. A legacy of its defeat in the Second World War, Japan’s constitution renounces war and guarantees a broad range of human rights. It has never been amended.

Prime Minister Shinzō Abe has long viewed the constitution as “imposed” on Japan, an anachronism given Japan’s strategic situation and out of step with his interpretation of Japanese cultural norms. What are the government’s designs for constitutional revision? Is revision a sign of increasing Japanese militarization, as many critics claim? Would revision curtail or expand rights within Japan? What are the legal pitfalls of revision? And is revision even possible in the current political environment?

The Leiden Asia Center and the Leiden Network for Japan Constitution Research welcomes you to an event on Japan’s debate on the constitution featuring experts and practitioners grappling with questions on constitutional change.

Please register by filling in the form below!

Panel One: Security

Moderated by Bryce Wakefield, Leiden University

Speakers: Christopher Hughes, Warwick University; Akiko Kamei, Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan; Craig Martin, Washburn University School of Law; Kenneth Mori McElwain, University of Tokyo.

Panel Two: Human Rights

Moderated by Erik Herber, Leiden University

Speakers: Lawrence Repeta, Meiji University (emer.); Sanae Fujita, University of Essex; Mitsuhiro Wada, Japan Federation of Bar Associations.