Abe avoids timeline for revising pacifist constitution

Tokyo

JAPANESE Prime Minister Shinzo Abe opened a new session of Parliament on Monday with familiar promises for economic reform and stronger defence, but steered clear of setting a timeline for his goal of revising the post-war, pacifist constitution.

The push by the conservative Japanese leader to fulfil his long-held ambition coincides with rising concerns about North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes and China's military assertiveness.