改憲原案、単独作成へ　起草委設置、年内目指す―自民

　自民党憲法改正推進本部は８日、菅政権発足後初の役員会を党本部で開いた。新たに就任した衛藤征士郎本部長は条文案作成に向け「憲法改正原案起草委員会」を本部の下に設置すると表明。作成は自民単独で進める考えで、これまでの与野党協調を探る路線からの方針転換となる。ただ、党内には異論もあり、意見集約は難航も予想される。
　衛藤氏はあいさつで「国民の熱い期待に応えるため全力で取り組む」と述べた。会合後、記者団に「目標としては、年末までに憲法改正原案を策定して憲法審査会に届けたい」と語った。（2020/10/08-19:24）

A panel at Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party plans to draft texts of clauses for a revised constitution alone, its new chief said Thursday, underscoring a shift away from its previous approach of seeking cooperation from the opposition side.
   The party's Headquarters for the Promotion of Revision of the Constitution will set up a committee to draft constitutional clauses, its new chairman, Seishiro Eto, said at an executive meeting of the panel.
   The LDP replaced the panel's leadership after Yoshihide Suga became president of the party and prime minister last month.
   Eto told reporters after the meeting that the LDP aims to present a draft proposal for constitutional revisions to parliament by the end of the year.
   In March 2018 under the leadership of Suga's predecessor, Shinzo Abe, the LDP drafted constitutional clauses on four issues, including the status of the Self-Defense Forces.