My paper examines a concept ‘pacifism’ described by Japanese prime minister and Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) president Abe Shinzo and the New Komei Party's (NKP) leader Yamaguchi Natsuo through a lens of role theory to understand what roles they think Japan should play.

First, how the concept 'pacifism' is used in statements (speeches, interviews, and remarks on the press) of Abe, Yamaguchi and other political elites in each party, which are assumed to give a clue about their ideas of Japan's role in the world related to pacifism, is examined because this comparison enables to expose accord and discord between them.

Second, national role conception or NRC (the actor’s subjective understanding of the nation’s appropriate role, function and aim in the international system and the perception of domestic and foreign expectations) about Japan's role and the worldview of each party is discussed in connection with the issue of the revision of the Japanese Constitution which stipulates a general framework of Japan's foreign policy. The LDP aims to play more proactive roles by revising the constitution and Abe dismisses the current constitution makes only 'one-country pacifism' possible.

On the other hand, the NKP tries to maintain the constitution as it is because Yamaguchi perceives the current constitution guarantees postwar pacifism, which has been successful because it eases neighboring countries. The fact that Abe tries to strengthen Japan's presence in the world and made several important security laws and institutions makes role theory appropriate.