Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has opened a new session of parliament with familiar promises of economic reform and stronger defense. He also gave his usual warning against the DPRK, and requested for the smooth transition of Emperor Akihito to Crown Prince Naruhito. CGTN's Terrence Terashima has more.  

Some call it an 'amendment' and some call it an 'alteration'. Japan's 70-year-old, war-renouncing constitution will be under debate this year. As Prime Minister Shinzo Abe prepares to submit a draft around March. It has been Abe's quest to revise the constitution for decades. Now that he has the 2/3 majority in the diet, Abe eyes to conclude the debate by end of 2019.

"We have to thoroughly debate the constitution revision, and we have to make a very careful decision."

On diplomacy, Abe hopes to advance on regional relations. Eyeing trilateral talks with Beijing and Seoul, and stand firm against the possible threat from the DPRK.

SHINZO ABE JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER "In order to make the DPRK change its policy, we will not succumb to any of its provocations, and be resolute in our diplomatic endeavours."

Despite strong public sentiment against constitution revision, ironically Abe has strong support on beefing up Japan's anti-missile defense.

"He can be very stubborn, but I think that is a right way to approach. He should make a firm stance."

Third pillar of Abe administration is economic recovery. Abe said he will push for labour reforms, including reducing overtime hours, wage hikes Pledged to tackle demographic concerns set up social security for all generations, and free educations for children.

TERRENCE TERASHIMA TOKYO "Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is hoping to show some achievements by September this year when he has been faced the LDP presidential election, seeking another term as the LDP president and his prime ministership, and one of the achievements that he is seeking is meeting with President Xi Jinping and President Moon Jae-in, to show that he is  trying to amend the diplomatic relationship with the neighboring countries as well as trying to solve the DPRK nuclear and missile issues.Terrence Terashima CGTN Tokyo."