A panel from Japan's parliament has released the draft of its report on the Constitution.

The majority of panel members agreed to uphold the constitutional provision that renounces war.

Majority approval was also given to continuing the system that recognizes the emperor as the symbol of the nation, while allowing a female to assume the throne, revising the long-standing tradition that only permitted male heirs.

Meanwhile, they also agreed to change the foreword to the Constitution to better reflect Japan's history and traditions, and respect the principles of peace and support basic human rights.

Final report is to be submitted by the end of April.

(CRI.com April 1, 2005)