Kishida push for change to constitution opposed

Japanese PM's move seen to shore up support within party to secure reelection

Despite strong opposition at home and abroad, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has proposed to accelerate the process of amending Japan's pacifist constitution to secure his reelection in the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election in September.

The party polls will be held amid a sharp decline in Kishida's approval ratings due to political and financial scandals. He has determined that he needs the support of the conservative factions within the party, said Kazuyuki Hamada, an international political economist and former parliamentary vice-minister for foreign affairs of Japan.

Moreover, Kishida has long been passionate about attaining constitutional amendment during his term and sees it as an achievement that will leave his mark in history, said Hamada.