| Japan's Constitution Memorial Day: May 3, 2010 | | | | the nation and the threat or use of force as means |
| Constitution Memorial Day is a public holiday in Japan. | | | | of settling international disputes. (2) To accomplish |
| Japan commemorates the coming into effect of its | | | | the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air |
| new 1947 constitution. Japan's constitution reflects | | | | forces, as well as other war potential, will never be |
| Japan's total abolition of war and military armament. | | | | maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will |
| Japan's Constitution Memorial Day is one of the four | | | | not be recognized. |
| public holidays in the Golden Week which also includes | | | | A number of known personalities, writers, and |
| Emperor's Birthday, Greenery Day, and Showa Day | | | | members of media in Japan have long been criticizing |
| on April 29, Greenery Day on May 3, and Children's | | | | the above law such as the 2003 editorials in some |
| Day on May 4. | | | | major newspaper publications in the country. |
| History of Japan's Constitution Memorial Day | | | | Japan's Constitution Memorial Day: Traditions, |
| Two years after the end of World War II, Japan | | | | Customs and Activities |
| promulgated a new constitution. It was recognized as | | | | During this day, the National Diet Building, housing |
| a holiday since the passing of the new constitution on | | | | Japan's upper house, the House of Councillors and |
| May 3, 1947. The renouncement of war is considered | | | | lower house which is the House of Representatives |
| as Japan's sovereign right and using war as an | | | | (National Diet of Japan), becomes open to the public. |
| instrument to settle international dispute is forever | | | | Also, the Japanese government calls for a nationwide |
| banned. Article 9 of the Japanese constitutions states | | | | reflection on the meaning of democracy in Japan and |
| that: | | | | its forever renouncement of war as stated in the |
| ARTICLE 9. Aspiring sincerely to an international | | | | controversial and criticized Article 9 of the 1947 |
| peace based on justice and order, the Japanese | | | | Japanese constitution. |
| people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of | | | | |