ＥＥＥ会議（日本の憲法改正問題：　中国人民日報の社説）...............................................2003.9.7


中国の人民日報（英語版）が９月２日付けの社説で、「何故小泉首相は今憲法改正を
提案するのか？」について論じています。
小泉首相が先月末山崎自民党幹事長と会談した際、憲法改正を2005年11月15日（自民
党結党５０周年記念日）までに完了すると述べたが、それは、彼がもう１期総裁を務
めるために党内の求心力を確保するのが狙いだろう、憲法改正の目的は、自衛隊を正
式の軍隊にするためだ、としています。以前較べかなり穏やかな論調になっています
が、これは胡新政権の対日外交政策の転換の現れと見てよいと思います。英語版のサ
イトは次のとおりです。ご参考まで。
--KK

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200309/02/eng20030902_123567.shtml
.

"Why Japanese PM Proposes Amending Constitution Now"

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and the
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secretary Yamazaki Taku
discussed on the evening of August 25 the amending of the
Japanese constitution. The Prime Minister said that the amending
will be completed before November 15, 2005, the 50th anniversary of
the founding of LDP, so as to transform the nation's Self-Defense
Forces (SDF) into a formal army.

Why Junichiro Koizumi chose such a moment to strike up again the
constitution issue? Analysts point out that this shows Japan's
military ambition and, on the other hand, the Prime minister's hope
to enhance his chances for another term of office as LDP president.

Japan's military ambition flared up again Recently the Japanese PM
has been bending on expanding the self-defense forces. The nation
passed three emergency bills last June to bolster its capability in
response to attacks, and in July enacted a law endorsing the
dispatch of SDF to Iraq to provide humanitarian aid and rearguard
medical and supply assistance to security forces. Now Koizumi
proposed the amending of constitution and its timetable. When
answering journalists' questions over the nature of SDF, Koizumi
retorted sharply "don't you really believe that SDF is an army"? By
stressing that SDF is an army Koizumi implies contradictions in the
constitutions and the necessity for constitution amendment. This
shows Koizumi's ambition to turn SDF into a perfectly justified and
true-to-name army.

Preparation for the second term of office koizumi's another aim is to
win the favor of the conservative forces within the LDP, and seek for
more votes to support for his second term of office as LDP president.

Koizumi's presidency is nearing to an end in September. Although
the general situation is in his favor, opposition forces within LDP
didn't remain inert as he expected. To win more support Koizumi
linked his timetable for amending constitution with the 50th
anniversary of the founding of LDP, which could help him in his
battle for a second term.