-- Japan PM Sanae Takaichi urged her ruling party to speed up discussions on constitutional reform, a push that could reshape Japan's security posture but risks losing public backing without broader support, Bloomberg reported Monday.
"I hope that we can go into next year's party congress saying that there is a clear prospect for initiating constitutional revision," Takaichi said at a party meeting. She called for setting out a vision of Japan's future and committing it to a new constitutional framework, according to the report.
Her remarks came as tensions in the Middle East intensified after US President Donald Trump warned of a full naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns for Japan, which depends heavily on energy imports from the region.
Takaichi has resisted sending ships to the strait, citing constitutional limits that restrict overseas military action unless Japan is directly attacked. The stance has helped her avoid involvement in a conflict that lacks United Nations backing and has limited domestic support, even as it draws frustration from Washington, according to the report.
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