Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 10: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position of his Department regarding recent statements by the Japanese Prime Minister that he will undertake attempts to reform Japan's pacifist constitution in view of recent tensions in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39503/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has indicated that he intends to begin a debate on the possible revision of the Japanese constitution. In his Policy Speech to the 165th Session of the Diet, Prime Minister Abe noted that the current Constitution was formulated nearly 60 years ago when Japan was under military occupation, and that discussions were ongoing within and among the government and opposition parties regarding "the formulation of a constitution that befits a new era". The Prime Minister has not set an exact timeframe for the possible revision of the Constitution, though he has indicated in a recent press interview that he envisages addressing this issue within the next six years, the maximum period he may serve as Prime Minister.

Japan is an important partner for Ireland and the EU, with whom we share fundamental values such as democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and with whom we cooperate for peace, security and the prosperity of the international community. Japan is an active member of many international organisations. It is a major contributor financially and in peace-keeping to the UN, and a very significant aid donor. In 2007 we will be marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries.

Prime Minister Abe has made clear in various fora that Japan seeks to engage in active diplomacy not only in Japan's national interest but in the interest of the region's peace and prosperity. To that end he has already sought to strengthen Japan's partnerships with other countries, including its bilateral relations with the countries of the region, notably China and the Republic of Korea, and I welcome these moves. Japan is also active in Six Party Talks on the DPRK, the recent missile and nuclear weapons tests which are rightly of grave concern to it, as they are to the rest of the international community. Overall, and indeed against the above background, I take the view that the content of the Japanese Constitution is primarily a matter for the Japanese people alone.