VOA慢速英语--日本首相希望改变宪法以建立军队

 Japanese Prime Minister Wishes to Change Constitution to Create Military Forces

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has reconfirmed his support for changing the country’s constitution to permit the creation of a military force.

"Let’s fulfill¹ our mission by clearly writing in the constitution the Self-Defense² Forces that protect peace and independence of Japan," Abe said. He spoke³ in a televised speech to members of his Liberal Democratic Party.

Grant Newsham is a top researcher at the Japan Forum⁴ for Strategic Studies in Tokyo. He told VOA that the Japanese government already understood the constitution’s Article 9 as permitting the creation of a self-defense force. Now, he said, Abe wishes to officially change it. He wants the constitution to recognize Japan’s Self-Defense Force as a legal organization with the aim and position of protecting the country.

Why pursue Article 9 revisions?

Article 9 was added to Japan’s constitution after Japan’s involvement in World War II. It states that the country surrenders its right to an armed force.

However, Sejong University professor Yuji Hosaka says there is some good to the idea of changing the constitution.

First, he said, the Japanese “can have legal military forces in their country,” adding that the current force violates the constitution. Also, Hosaka said legalization would permit the country to send troops overseas and take military action.

The language of Article 9 limits Japan’s offensive abilities, said Jonathan Miller⁵ an expert with the EastWest Institute. He said the possible threats from both North Korea and China are important reasons for Japan to change its constitution.

“Some of the capabilities⁶ Japan feels it needs to defend itself are becoming complicated by its constitution,” Miller said.

Upcoming party election

Japan holds elections on September 20. Experts told VOA that support for Abe among LDP members is high and will likely result in another three-year term. This would make Abe Japan’s longest-serving prime minister.

Abe's closest competition is former defense minister Shiguru Ishiba, but he is not expected to beat Abe.

Evan Rees, an Asia-Pacific expert with STRATFOR, told VOA, “nearly 80% of lawmakers will vote for Abe in the internal elections, and that’s matched by another 60% rank-and-file party members.”

Getting the revision passed

Abe has said he hopes his party can present a proposed change to Article 9 before the end of the year if he is reelected.

Rees said revising Article 9 is a complex issue in Japanese politics.

Currently, the LDP holds about 60 percent of the seats in parliament. It takes a two-thirds majority to present any constitutional changes to the public for a vote. The LDP will need support from its coalition⁷ partner, the Komeito, to get such action.

However, the Komeito has been “historically opposed to constitutional change,” said Rees.

If the measure passes parliament, a public vote is then held, and a simple majority must vote in favor of it.

But Rees said the public is divided on the issue, with research showing about 44 percent in favor and 46 percent opposed.

I’m Phil Dierking.

Words in This Story

capability⁸ - n. the ability to do something?

despite - prep. used to say that something happens or is true even though there is something that might prevent it from happening or being true?

interpret - v. to explain the meaning of (something)?

mission - n. a task or job that someone is given to do?

offensive - n. relating to or designed for attacking an enemy?

scandal - n. an occurrence in which people are shocked and upset because of behavior that is morally or legally wrong

1 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。

2 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

3 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

4 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

5 miller   

n.磨坊主

参考例句：

• Every miller draws water to his own mill.磨坊主都往自己磨里注水。
• The skilful miller killed millions of lions with his ski.技术娴熟的磨坊主用雪橇杀死了上百万头狮子。

6 capabilities   

n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力

参考例句：

• He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities. 他有点自大，自视甚高。 来自辞典例句
• Some programmers use tabs to break complex product capabilities into smaller chunks. 一些程序员认为，标签可以将复杂的功能分为每个窗格一组简单的功能。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

7 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

8 capability   

n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等

参考例句：

• She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
• Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。