| Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi says he will unveil proposals for revising the country's pacifist constitution later in the year. Japan's constitution has not been changed since it was drafted by the United States after World War II. It renounces the use of force to resolve international disputes and limits Japan's military to defensive operations. The Government wants Japan to play a greater role in world affairs and is keen to revise the constitution. Mr Koizumi says he will release some proposals for change in the second half of the year, although he does not expect any actual revisions will be made for at least two years. It is an extremely sensitive issue, inside Japan and outside it. Countries such as China and South Korea are worried about a revival of Japanese militarism. |