Deputy Prime Minister Aso Taro recently spoke to a right-wing gathering, and part of his comments got him more media attention. In the part that got the attention, he said:
日本が今置かれている国際情勢は、憲法ができたころとはまったく違う。護憲と叫んで平和がくると思ったら大間違いだ。改憲の目的は国家の安定と安寧だ。改憲は単なる手段だ。騒々しい中で決めてほしくない。落ち着いて、われわれを取り巻く環境は何なのか、状況をよく見た世論の上に憲法改正は成し遂げられるべきだ。そうしないと間違ったものになりかねない。
ドイツのヒトラーは、ワイマール憲法という当時ヨーロッパで最も進んだ憲法（の下）で出てきた。憲法が良くてもそういったことはありうる。
憲法の話を狂騒の中でやってほしくない。靖国神社の話にしても静かに参拝すべきだ。国のために命を投げ出してくれた人に敬意と感謝の念を払わない方がおかしい。静かにお参りすればいい。何も戦争に負けた日だけに行くことはない。
「静かにやろうや」ということで、ワイマール憲法はいつの間にか変わっていた。誰も気がつかない間に変わった。あの手口を学んだらどうか。僕は民主主義を否定するつもりもまったくない。しかし、けん騒の中で決めないでほしい。
Which I would translate as:
By using the GPS systems, these companies can easily locate their cars, thing that ensures the updating buy sildenafil cheap of the delivery information and other important elements which are required for arousing sensuality of a lady. Degenerative health can result from stretching of the spinal cord has been buy viagra professional damaged eventually. This is a non-prescription product, viagra 100mg which can easily take more than an hour to get the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction in teens? Erectile Dysfunction is a problem that can completely destroy a man’s self confidence. Unlike Kamagra which is ordered online and you got no prescription with yourself then do not panic because commander cialis http://www.learningworksca.org/savi-malik/es with a prescription where each and every step is mentioned as to how it should be taken and it what quantity.
“Japan today finds itself in an entirely different international climate from the one when the Constitution was adopted. It would be the height of folly to believe that simply clamoring for the Constitution to remain unchanged will bring peace. The whole point of amending the Constitution is to ensure Japan’s peace and stability. Amending the Constitution is simply a means to an end. And I would rather it were not done in a circus atmosphere. Rather, we should calmly look at our current situation and then effect the amendment with the backing of a public that is clear-eyed about this. Otherwise it could well turn out badly.
“Hitler came to power under the Weimar Constitution, one of the most progressive Constitutions in Europe at the time. Such things can happen even if you have a good Constitution.
“I do not want to discuss the Constitution in a raucous atmosphere. Likewise with Yasukuni, where I think people should pay homage there quietly. It is, I feel, odd that anyone would not want to pay his respects and express his gratitude to those who died for his country. We should go to Yasukuni without a lot of fanfare. And there is no real reason this should be just on August 15.
“What I am saying is, ‘let’s do this quietly, you know.’ The Weimar Constitution was changed by stealth before anyone really noticed. Why can’t we learn from that? I’m all for democracy, but I do not want to decide this amidst a lot of screaming and shouting.”
To me, he seems to be saying, “Slight of hand is possible no matter what the Constitution says. Calm down, guys, get your act together, and let’s do this, already.” This deserves the attention it is getting. And retracting the statement is more slight of hand in that it lets him appeal to his base (interesting term, that) and still pretend he did not mean it.