Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has claimed victory for his ruling bloc in Japan's upper house. However, Abe and his allies will apparently not reach the supermajority they need to amend Japan's pacifist constitution.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Kyodo
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Public broadcaster NHK has reported that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner, Komeito, is forecast to secure at least 71 of the 124 seats up for grabs in Sunday's upper house election.
In order to make constitutional changes, Abe needs a two-thirds supermajority of 77 seats in the upper house of parliament, which means he will need support from another conservative party and independent members to push ahead with controversial plans to amend the country's pacifist constitution.
Abe welcomed the results, saying his party's victory means voters back his policies.
"I believe the people chose political stability, urging us to pursue our policies and carry out diplomacy to protect Japan's national interests," Abe said in an interview with NHK.
Abe's party is unlikely to gain a two-thirds majority in the upper houseImage: Reuters/Issei Kato
Official results aren't expected until Monday morning.
About 106 million people were eligible to vote, but pollsters indicated that the turnout could be lower than 50%.
Revision of constitution
A total of 370 candidates were vying for seats in the upper house, the less powerful of parliament's two chambers. The House of Councilors has 245 seats, with half of its lawmakers facing election every three years.
Abe's ruling bloc and its allies — the Japan Innovation Party and independents — were hoping to gain a two-thirds majority, or 85 seats, in order to begin the process of revising Japan's constitution.
The US-drafted document hasn't been amended since it was enacted in 1947, after the end of World War II. But Abe has said he wants to make changes to pacifist Article 9, which bans the maintenance of an army, before his term ends in 2021.
The issue has divided the public, with critics worried that legitimizing the military could lead Japan to get involved in US-led conflicts.
The future of Japan's constitution, explained
After a landslide victory, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has vowed to pursue his ambitious plans to revise the constitution's pacifist nature. DW examines the parts he wants to change and the obstacles in the way.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/C. Jue
Postwar constitution
Drafted in the wake of Japan's surrender at the end of World War II, the Japanese constitution established democratic processes, enshrined the role of the Emperor and ensured the country's pacifist nature. But decades have passed since its non-Japanese writers hashed out Japan's political future. A new wave has emerged, pushing for the recognition of Japan's right to maintain a standing military.
Image: picture-alliance/akg-images
Article 9: 'Forever renounce war'
Article 9 of Japan's constitution enshrines the country's pacifist nature. The first part of the article states that "Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation," while the second stipulates it will not maintain military. But Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has proposed revising parts of the constitution that forbid the country from maintaining a standing military.
Image: picture-alliance/CPA Media
The question of recognition
While Japan's constitution forbids the country maintain a standing military, it nonetheless has one of the best-equipped militaries in the world. Tokyo justifies the existence of the Self Defense Forces (SDF) to defend the nation in the event it ever comes under attack. But Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to change that by amending the constitution to codify the status quo.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/F. Robichon
Checks, balances and referendums
While Abe has the two-thirds majority in parliament to vote through constitutional changes, he vowed not to do so. In order to amend the constitution – which has never occurred since its inception – both legislative chambers need to pass it with two-thirds of the vote. Afterwards, it is put to a national referendum, which only requires a simple majority in favor for it to be accepted.
Image: picture-alliance/NurPhoto/R.A. de Guzman
Pacifist ideals endure
While public opinion is split on whether to revise the constitution, few voters see it as a priority. Most polls have shown that Japanese voters want to keep the country's pacifist ideals as they are enshrined in the constitution. In a poll for the top-selling Yomiuri newspaper, only 35 percent of respondents wanted Abe to recognize Japan's military, while 42 percent said they opposed the idea.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/C. Jue
Political divide
Even with support from his party and like-minded conservatives, Abe faces many hurdles to execute his vision. There are even differences among pro-change lawmakers on what the changes might look like. But that hasn't fazed Abe. "I have renewed my determination to secure people's lives and peaceful living, no matter what," said Abe after his party's victory at the polls.
Image: picture alliance/AP Photo
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Abe pledged to revive the economy and boost defense when he took office in December 2012. The 64-year-old would become Japan's longest-serving prime minister if he stays in office until November.
Opposition parties argue that the ruling bloc has failed to tackle slowing economic growth, underemployment and the strained public pension system. Opponents have also warned of the impact of a sales tax hike set to come into force in October.
