Japan Party OKs Draft of Constitution
By MARI YAMAGUCHI,
Associated Press Writer
Fri Oct 28, 2:45 PM ET

"TOKYO - The ruling party on Friday approved its final draft of a proposed revision of
Japan's pacifist constitution that would drop a clause outlawing war and give the military
a greater role in international security, officials said.
Article 9 of Japan's current constitution — drafted by U.S. occupation forces and
unchanged since 1947 — bars the use of military force in settling international disputes.

It also prohibits maintaining a military for warfare, though the Japanese government
has interpreted that to mean the nation can have armed troops to protect itself,
allowing the existence of its 240,000-strong Self-Defense Forces.
The Liberal Democratic Party's final draft cuts the "no war" clause from Article 9, and
outlines an expanded role for the military.

In the approved draft, released on the party's Web site, the section currently titled
"Renouncing War" will be renamed "National Security.""
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