The LDP must take this matter seriously.

Remaining true to one's assertion for half a century is not an easy thing to do. But the Liberal Democratic Party, which marks the 50th anniversary of its foundation this autumn, has consistently asserted in its party platform that Japan should ``write its own'' Constitution.

However, throughout the years of LDP-led efforts to develop Japan into an economic superpower, constitutional amendment was never a pressing political issue. Rather, it was more like a slogan. But this year, the party is finally discussing it specifically.

LDP President and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told the annual LDP convention Tuesday, ``It is our responsibility in this landmark 50th anniversary year to address the important issue of enacting a new Constitution.'' The party's action plan for the new fiscal year prioritizes the drafting of a new Constitution, and outlines the process by which the party is to formally approve a final proposal in November.

This aggressive call for constitutional revision stands out amid the LDP's obvious internal disarray over postal privatization-Koizumi's pet project that has drawn reactions that range from reluctance to outright opposition.

But where the specifics of constitutional amendment are concerned, the LDP appears quite confused. We say this in light of developments since last year that inevitably raise questions about the party's attitude.

In November 2004, the LDP research commission on the Constitution completed a ``tentative guideline'' for drafting a new Constitution, effectively approving the right to exercise collective defense and the ascension of women to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

But the guideline was immediately met with criticism from within the party itself. LDP members of the Upper House reacted angrily to the provision banning Upper House members from serving as Cabinet ministers. They also opposed a provision to allow ``well-informed persons'' to elect some Upper House members. An irate Mikio Aoki, head of the LDP Upper House caucus, threatened to withdraw all Upper House members from the constitutional research commission.

We can only shake our heads in disbelief at the LDP's sloppiness in making public a half-baked tentative plan that was obviously not examined properly by party members. And even though the plan may have been only tentative, we cannot comprehend how the party could have taken it back so swiftly.

And then there was the incredible behavior of former Defense Agency chief Gen Nakatani, who headed the LDP's committee drafting the party's constitutional amendment proposal. It came to light that Nakatani had commissioned a senior Ground Self-Defense Force officer to draft the party's proposed amendment to the clause concerning the nation's defense policy. Given the principle of civilian control as well as the constitutional duty of public officials to respect and uphold the Constitution, what Nakatani did was unconscionable.

We are also appalled by Nakatani's lack of ethics as a politician for handing to the party a proposal written by the SDF officer as his own.

The LDP has since appointed a new group, headed by Koizumi, to rewrite its draft constitutional amendment. Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori is replacing Nakatani as the head of the committee, and former Prime Ministers Yasuhiro Nakasone and Kiichi Miyazawa will join this committee. The LDP also says it will collaborate with Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan), but the reality is that there is disarray even within the ruling coalition.

Takenori Kanzaki, head of junior coalition partner New Komeito, spoke as a guest at the LDP convention Tuesday. He stated his party's ``distance'' from the LDP on constitutional revision: ``To be candid, our view differs (from the LDP's).'' In the convention hall filled with miniature Hinomaru flags being waved, Kanzaki's comment brought a moment of tension.

The Asahi Shimbun conducted an opinion poll last autumn when the new Koizumi Cabinet was formed. In the poll, 80 percent cited ``pension and welfare'' and ``the economy and employment'' as the most important policy issues to be addressed. Only 5 percent cited ``constitutional revision.''

If the LDP is still set on focusing on the Constitution, we at least insist that the party proceed with genuine earnestness.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 19(IHT/Asahi: January 20,2005)