Surveys show many Japanese voters are wary of revising the constitution's pacifist Article 9.

Kono also said he was "totally opposed" to revising the constitution's pacifist Article 9.

But he failed to achieve his goal of revising the post-war, U.S.-drafted charter's pacifist Article 9.

Abe has long sought to revise the constitution's pacifist Article 9 to further legitimize the military, but public opinion is divided.

During his eight years in office, Abe pushed for but failed to achieve his goal of revising the post-war constitution's pacifist Article 9.

Amending the constitution's pacifist Article 9 to clarify the status of Japan's military is a long-held goal of Abe and his ruling Liberal Democratic Party.