Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has denounced the preface to Japan’s pacifist constitution as a “utopian idea.”

The conservative party on Thursday presented the assessment during a constitution evaluation meeting at the Lower House.

The party called it an “abandonment of right of self-defense stemming from utopian idea,” referring to the preface that Japan believes in fairness and faith of peace-loving people around the world, and resolves to maintain its security and survival.

In February, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also raised doubt about the preface, saying that if not for the constitution, Japan could have protected Megumi Yokota, a Japanese national abducted by North Korea.

Japan’s opposition Democratic Party, however, said that careful discussions are needed on whether constitutional revision would force opinions of certain individuals or certain groups on the people.