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TOKYO, Japan, - May 1: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday this year is the right time to "take a historic step" in reforming Japan's pacifist post-World War II Constitution, two days ahead of a public holiday commemorating its entry into force 70 years ago. Abe cited the "security situation, which is increasing in severity," as one of the factors in what would be a first-ever amendment to the foundational document. "This is the time to show the public our specific stance on the ideal Constitution," Abe said at a gathering in Tokyo of a cross-party league of lawmakers in favor of constitutional reform. "In this milestone year, we will take a historic step toward the large goal of constitutional reform," he said. "Those members of the public who think of the Constitution as an immortal tome are now a small minority." Any proposal to amend the Constitution requires the support of at least two-thirds of lawmakers in both houses of parliament before gaining a majority of votes in a national referendum. Abe's ruling coalition and pro-amendment opposition parties already have the two-thirds majority, but public sensitivity over the Constitution is likely to drive them to aim for some sort of consensus with the rest of the Diet.