Today, May 3, is Constitution Day, marking the 75th anniversary of the enforcement of the Japanese Constitution in 1947.
In 1948, the U.S. was still under occupation, and the Constitution was drafted in a few days under the leadership of General MacArthur and enacted by resolution of the Imperial Diet in accordance with the constitutional amendment procedures of the Meiji Constitution, the former Constitution.
Because of this history, there are calls to revise the current Constitution by the Japanese people, but even discussion of revision has been unable to take place properly.
Putting aside the nitty-gritty, there are of course differences between the Japanese and Philippine constitutions.
Among them, there is one that I find interesting.
It concerns the duties of citizens.
The following three obligations of the people are stipulated in the Constitution of Japan.
(1) Obligation to provide children with a general education
(2) The duty to work
(3) Obligation to pay taxes
Simply put, Japanese people must work hard, pay taxes, and ensure that their children receive a proper education.
There are three obligations of citizens of the Philippines
(1) Obligation to protect the life of the mother and her children, including the unborn child, and to provide for the upbringing of the child
(2) Obligation to receive primary education
(3) Obligation to protect the elderly by family members.
This is a duty that is very typical of the Philippines, where family is very important.
It is interesting to see the values of the people of each country reflected in the obligations of the people as set forth in their constitutions.
After working hard and paying taxes in Japan, it would be an ideal way of life to spend the rest of one's life in the Philippines, where the elderly are cared for.
The Philippine Constitution also contains a renunciation of war. Unlike Japan, however, the Philippine Constitution clearly stipulates that the armed forces shall be placed in place to ensure the sovereignty of the nation and the security of the land.
This is so natural for an independent nation that I think the current Japanese Constitution should learn from the Philippine Constitution.
