Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso has urged Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to revise the Constitution before leaving office.
Regarding constitutional revision, Aso, who is also finance minister, said that "[Abe] won't be able to realize it during his term [as president of the Liberal Democratic Party] unless he makes up his mind to do it."
Aso made the remark at a Tuesday press conference after a Cabinet meeting. Citing the case of Abe's grandfather Nobusuke Kishi, who served as prime minister from 1957 to 1960, Aso said; "Kishi thought that [his successor] Hayato Ikeda would revise the Constitution. Once Ikeda became the prime minister, however, he was no longer an advocate of constitutional amendment."
"If Abe entrusts it to the next prime minister, similar things as in Kishi's case will happen," Aso added.
With the September 2021 expiration of Abe's term as party president apparently in mind, Aso hinted at readiness to consider a fourth consecutive term for Abe through a revision of party rules, saying, "We will have to consider measures, if there is no possibility [to revise the Constitution within the current term]."
In addition, LDP Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai said at a press conference on the same day, "In case of not achieving [constitutional amendment] during his term, it is important to respond with an eye to the political situation."
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