Tokyo, January 11 (RHC)-- The Japanese premier has announced plans to revise the country's pacifist constitution after getting a two-thirds majority at an upper house election later this year.

Shinzo Abe said on Sunday that he aims to revise the constitution, but in order to do so he has to get a two-thirds majority from his ruling bloc and like-minded opposition parties.

The supporters of the current constitution argue that it is the source of peace, prosperity and democracy in the Southeast Asian country. The current charter, in place since the Second World War, stresses non-intervention in foreign military conflicts.

Premier Abe and supporters claim that the change is necessary to deal with a shifting security environment and threats posed by regional countries that are expanding their military and nuclear capabilities.