The Evening Star (October 7, 1946)
Japanese House votes 342-5 for constitution banning armed force
TOKYO (AP) – A revised “anti-war” constitution outlawing the maintenance of armed forces, drastically curtailing the emperor’s political powers and granting the people a specific bill of rights was accepted by the House of Representatives today.
The vote was 342-5, four Communists and one Independent dissenting.
This means the cabinet of Shigeru Yoshida will resign within six months after promulgation of the constitution and the House of Peers will disappear at end of the current extraordinary session.
The new document was prepared under American guidance.
No major objections developed during three months’ continuous debate on the fundamental points of outlawing war, lessening the emperor’s position and legally specifying the people’s rights. Acceptance of the constitution had been assured by strong support voiced by Gen. MacArthur and the emperor himself.
The Communists consistently opposed the constitution on the grounds they felt it left the emperor too much power, and that it was imposed from the top and did not come from the people.
General questioning in the Diet disclosed Japanese hopes that the document would permit the continuance of the emperor as a “symbol” of state, that it would not eliminate Japan’s family system or other “traditional cultural heritages,” and that Japan would be protected adequately in the event of any future conflict.
Debates reflected the general belief that the United States would defend Japan.
At the outset of their discussions on the war renunciation clause, the Japanese took pride in the fact that theirs would be the first national charter prohibiting armed forces. But later international quarrels increased their apprehension, and toward the end of the discussion speakers were looking abroad for protection.
High government officials have expressed the opinion the constitution approaches the ideal of placing the emperor in a position similar to that the British King. He would continue as a symbol of state unity, they said, while ministers responsible to the people handle political affairs.
The document provides for a Diet composed of a House of Representatives and a House of Counselors, replacing the present House of Peers. Both will be elected for specified terms, and the cabinet will be responsible to them.
The constitution is expected to be promulgated November 3, on the birth anniversary of the late Emperor Meiji, who gave modem Japan its first constitution, and become effective in April 1947.