Key Facts
• June 19, 2025: Kawasaki City Council held a plenary session.
• Five independent council members proposed a statement declaring Japan’s current constitution invalid.
• The proposal called for restoring and revising the Imperial Constitution.
• The proposal was rejected with only the five proposers voting in favor.
• Opposing council members cited potential violations of constitutional compliance obligations.
• Article 99 of Japan’s Constitution mandates public officials to respect and uphold the Constitution.
• Professor Shigeaki Iijima of Nagoya Gakuin University stated the proposal lacks legal justification.
• The council approved 19 other proposals, including changes to the management of a disability support facility.
• Four additional statements, including one on free school meals funded by the national treasury, were passed.
• A proposal for shingles vaccine relief measures passed despite opposition from 27 Liberal Democratic and Komeito members.
Summary
On June 19, 2025, the Kawasaki City Council rejected a proposal by five independent members declaring Japan’s current constitution invalid and advocating for the restoration of the Imperial Constitution. The proposal faced criticism for potentially violating constitutional compliance obligations under Article 99. Legal experts, including Professor Shigeaki Iijima, dismissed the proposal as lacking legal validity. Despite this, the council approved 19 other proposals, including changes to the management of a disability support facility and measures for free school meals. A separate proposal for shingles vaccine relief passed with a majority, overcoming opposition from 27 members of the Liberal Democratic and Komeito parties.
