Abe Vows to Start Full Talks on Constitutional Amendment

Nagato, Yamaguchi Pref., Aug. 13 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed Tuesday to launch full-fledged parliamentary discussions on constitutional amendment. "I reported (to my father) that now is the time to start Diet discussions on the Constitution in earnest," Abe told reporters after visiting the grave of his father, former Foreign Minister Shintaro Abe, with his wife Akie, in Nagato, a part of his constituency in the western Japan prefecture of Yamaguchi. Abe said he also reported the result of last month's House of Councillors election, in which his ruling coalition won a majority of seats in the Diet's upper chamber. "I've renewed my determination to meet the expectation of the public," he said. Abe arrived in Yamaguchi on Monday, visiting the grave of his grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, and attending a memorial service to mark the 33rd anniversary of his death. END