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Japanese ruling party gears up to change pacifist constitution within 2 years

Associated Press
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Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, 96, is assisted to stand up before delivering a speech during the annual meeting on Japan's constitution reform in Tokyo Friday, May 1, 2015. Japan's conservative ruling party, led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, is gearing up for a new push to achieve its long-sought goal of revising the country's U.S.-drafted post-World War II constitution. Its first challenge: winning over a divided public. Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers and other supporters rallied Friday ahead of Sunday's Constitution Day holiday, when Japan's democratic and war-renouncing charter took effect 68 years ago. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara) (The Associated Press)

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone delivers a speech during the annual meeting on Japan's constitution reform in Tokyo Friday, May 1, 2015. Japan's conservative ruling party, led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, is gearing up for a new push to achieve its long-sought goal of revising the country's U.S.-drafted post-World War II constitution. Its first challenge: winning over a divided public. Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers and other supporters rallied Friday ahead of Sunday's Constitution Day holiday, when Japan's democratic and war-renouncing charter took effect 68 years ago. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara) (The Associated Press)

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone delivers a speech during the annual meeting on Japan's constitution reform in Tokyo Friday, May 1, 2015. Japan's conservative ruling party, led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, is gearing up for a new push to achieve its long-sought goal of revising the country's U.S.-drafted post-World War II constitution. Its first challenge: winning over a divided public. Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers and other supporters rallied Friday ahead of Sunday's Constitution Day holiday, when Japan's democratic and war-renouncing charter took effect 68 years ago. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara) (The Associated Press)

Japan's conservative ruling party is gearing up to make a new push for its long-sought goal of revising the country's U.S.-drafted, post-World War II constitution. Its first objective: winning over a divided public.

Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers and other supporters are rallying at an annual gathering Friday ahead of Sunday's Constitution Day holiday, when Japan's democratic and war-renouncing charter entered into force 68 years ago.

The party has resumed its constitution reform panel after a two-year recess, and this week started distributing a cartoon pamphlet to drum up public support for revision.

Supporters denounce the 1947 constitution as one imposed by the U.S., which occupied Japan from the end of World War II until 1952. They say it's outdated and inadequate to cope with a society today.