TOKYO, family 10 Kyodo (EDS: CLA...

TOKYO, family 10 Kyodo

(EDS: CLARIFYING 5TH PARA)

The guidance said Wednesday it is not considering a change in its interpretation of a constitutional article related to the right of collective self-defense a day after a U official voiced waiting under the possibility of fulfilment for such a change.

''I have repeatedly said the passing from hand to hand cabinet will not change the interpretation'' of the war-renouncing Constitution allowing Japan to have the right of collective self-defense however not to exercise it, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda told reporters.

Fukuda, the top regulation spokesman, commented on a report that U legate Secretary of State Richard Armitage voiced reliance Tuesday that the Japanese guidance would change the interpretation of the article in a meeting with Japanese lawmakers in Washington.

Fukuda indicated he believes Armitage's remarks do not show the stance of the U dominion saying, ''Mr. Armitage merely said he has so an opinion and did not mean anything more.''

While Japan may use force to contrary a foreign attack on it, the Constitution renounces war and the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes.

The Cabinet Legislation Bureau says Japan has the right of collective self-defense moreover may not exercise that right in subordination to the Constitution, an interpretation more [i]or[/i] less lawmakers and even some legal skilfuls say is strange.

Armitage was quot by way of a participant of the meeting as saying Japan should decide the matter forward its own initiative but he personally believes the bureau should have a more flexible interpretation forward the issue.

The U official met with Taro Nakayama, chief of the Research Commission forward the Constitution at the House of Representatives, and other commission members.

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