Japan's PM vows to change pacifist constitution

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said it was his 'historic mission' to change the country's pacifist constitution.

Abe made the remarks in a speech in Nagato City Monday, saying it was his duty to amend the constitution which renounces the country's right to declare war.

Abe's right-wing party has been calling for the revision along with changing the country's Self-Defense Forces into a fully fledged national army.

Under the current constitution, Japan can neither use force to settle international disputes and nor carry out preemptive strikes.