Japan Association of Environment and Society for the 21st Century

The Japan Association of Environment and Society for the 21st Century (環境文明21) has been focused on looking for a cooperative relationship between civilization and the environment since 1993. In 1999, they created a NGO, naming themselves the Japan Association of Environment and Society for the 21st Century (環境文明21).

This association has published several versions of a proposal for a new constitutional clause based on environmental principles. Their website provides their research products and policy proposals, including the proposal for a new constitutional clause that specifies principles of preservation of the earth’s environment.

Subcommittee on the Constitution

This group has a sub-committee focusing on the constitution, Kenpō Bukai (憲法部会).

The committee offers an original revision draft emphasizing the environment; in addition to the three principles of the current constitution (1. popular sovereignty, 2. fundamental human rights, 3. pacifism), a fourth principle – protection of the environment – should be added. The draft states that a new chapter devoted to the environment would be a vital part of the new constitution because the world economy is changing rapidly and environmental problems are becoming a serious threat to humankind. It also asserts that environmental restrictions are as essential as Article 9, and that this new chapter will be important for clarifying the concept of "public welfare." The association also suggests making changes to the Preamble to include the environment.