護憲

• Reading: ごけん
• Romaji: goken
• Kanji breakdown: 護 (go) — protect, defend; 憲 (ken) — constitution, fundamental law
• Pronunciation: /ɡo.ke.ɴ/

Meaning

Defence of the constitution; constitutional protection. The position of upholding the existing constitution, particularly Article 9 of Japan's postwar constitution.

In Japanese political discourse, 護憲 is the antonym of 改憲 (constitutional revision) and 壊憲 (destruction of the constitution, a polemical term). Supporters of 護憲 argue that Article 9 is the cornerstone of Japan's peace state and must be preserved. The term is deeply embedded in postwar Japanese political identity and is a defining axis of left-right political debate.

Examples

1. 野党の多くは護憲の立場をとり、憲法改正に強く反対している。 Many opposition parties take a constitutionalist stance and strongly oppose amending the constitution.
2. 護憲派は九条が日本の平和主義の礎だと主張する。 Constitutionalists argue that Article 9 is the cornerstone of Japan's pacifism.
3. 護憲か改憲かという問いは戦後政治を貫く核心的な争点だ。 The question of whether to defend or amend the constitution has been a central issue running through postwar politics.

Usage Guide

Context: constitutional debate, politics, journalism, history

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound. 護 (go) means to protect or defend (as in 保護, 守護); 憲 (ken) refers to the constitution (as in 憲法). Together they denote the political stance of defending the existing constitutional order.

Cultural Context

Era: Postwar–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated