Abe's support falls to its lowest level since 2012

Beijing says it understands Japanese people's motives for protesting military-related changes

Support for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet has fallen to the lowest level since he took office in 2012, to just over 40 percent, according to a TV network survey.

Nearly two-thirds of voters are opposed to his muscular defense policy that would end a self-imposed ban on the military fighting overseas, a weekend media survey showed.

"We understand the hope of Japanese people and people of conscience for not wanting to repeat the mistakes of history, as well as being alert to the new military developments of Japan's government," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lu Kang said on Monday.

The weekend survey by Nippon Television Network coincided with rallies by thousands protesting the legislation, which would allow Japan to exercise its right of collective self-defense, or militarily aiding a friendly country under attack.

Abe's Cabinet adopted a resolution in July reinterpreting the pacifist Constitution to allow the dramatic shift in security policy.

In April, Abe told the US Congress that the changes, already reflected in new US-Japan defense cooperation guidelines, would be enacted this summer.

But the outlook for passage in the current session of parliament, set to end next week but which may be extended until early August, has been clouded by growing criticism that the legislation violates the Constitution, drafted by US officials after World War II.

"I think the government should retract the bills because the core element - the use of the right of collective self-defense - is manifestly unconstitutional," said Yasuo Hasebe, a constitutional law professor at Waseda University.

Hasebe's remark to the same effect at a parliamentary panel earlier this month shocked his ruling party hosts and reignited debate about the bills' constitutionality.

Abe's support slipped to 41.1 percent from 43.5 percent in the Nippon Television survey.

It also showed 62.5 percent were opposed to the exercise of collective self-defense and 63.7 percent were against the enactment of the legislation in the current session of parliament. Nearly 80 percent felt the government had not explained the legislation sufficiently.

Thousands rallied at the weekend to protest the security bills and other policies such as plans to restart nuclear reactors taken offline after the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

About 25,000 attended a rally near Parliament on Sunday, while more than 10,000 turned out the day before.

"I think the majority of citizens are raising voices of anger toward Abe's move to destroy the Constitution," said Akira Matsudaira, 73, who played a trumpet during the protest.

Abe's ruling coalition can push the bills through parliament given its majority, but any perception it had done so without enough debate could further dent his support ratings.

Reuters - Xinhua