Female LDP Leader Seeks Japan's Control Of 'Nat'l Defense Forces'

Senior Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Sanae Takaichi has advocated amending the Constitution so Japan can possess "national defense forces," Kyodo News reported.

Photo Insert: Senior Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Sanae Takaichi may also bid to become the first female prime minister of the country.

Takaichi made the proposal in an article in the October edition of the magazine Hanada as she expressed her willingness to run in the LDP presidential election set for Sept. 29 in a bid to become the first female prime minister of the country.

Takaichi, a 60-year-old conservative lawmaker known for close ties with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, suggested making an explicit reference of national defense forces, instead of the Self-Defense Forces, in the Constitution.

The former minister of internal affairs and communications was referring to the LDP's 2012 draft constitutional amendment proposal that called for the possession of "national defense forces."

Article 9 of the Constitution renounces Japan's right to wage war and stipulates that it will not maintain an army, navy, air force, or any other military force. The constitutionality of the SDF has long been debated in political, judicial, and academic circles.

Takaichi suggested Japan procure advanced defense equipment, promote research and development, and increase defense spending so as to better cope with China's military buildup and assertive territorial claims, as well as North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

As for missile defense, she called for new legislation that will enable Japan to attack enemy bases to temporally nullify their functions.

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