More than 54 percent of the respondents to a Kyodo news agency poll earlier this month said the government should deliberate further before moving such a bill in the legislature.
But Abe is undeterred. As he said on Wednesday, "we will make great efforts to seek understanding from citizens" over the reinterpretation of the Constitution.
Abe is out to reinterpret not only the Constitution but also Japan's wartime history and thereby increasing tensions in East Asia.
To make matters worse, the Abe administration is planning to hold a major ceremony at Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 14 Class-A war criminals among others, on Aug 15, 70 years to the day when Japan surrendered in World War II. Besides, more than 100 lawmakers have visited the Yasukuni this year, insulting the memories of Japan's wartime victims in neighboring countries and regions.
To mitigate the impact of the Yasukuni visits on Japan's victims, Abe plans to deliver a statement on Japan's wartime history. But those expecting Abe to apologize for Japan's wartime crimes should now hold their breath, for his administration has already tried to defy the 1995 Murayama Statement (issued by then Japanese prime minister Tomiichi Murayama) which acknowledged Japan's atrocities.
At best Abe could use the opportunity to further highlight Japanese people's sufferings because of the two atomic bombs. He could also emphasize "proactive pacifism", a euphemism for building a full-fledged military, and manufacturing and exporting weapons.
Abe wants to remain prime minister until the next election, which is four years away. But since his term as LDP chief expires in September, he will need the support of right-wing forces in the party to be re-elected and secure another three years at the helm. And he will pamper them to get it.
Abe will deliver a policy speech in the Diet (parliament) in January, which is likely to set the tone of his statements and moves during the rest of 2015, including the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Although Abe looks like using his moves in the past two years as a template for the future, he should know that history cannot be denied or reinterpreted like a constitution.
The author is a journalist with China Daily. zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn
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