Koriki Jojima, Diet affairs chief of the Democratic Party of Japan, has indicated the ruling party may decide in early June to extend the ongoing 150-day regular session of the Diet that is currently scheduled to end June 21.
If a Lower House special committee for the bills convenes every business day, the House of Representatives should have debated legislation for comprehensive tax and social security reforms highlighting a consumption tax hike for about 100 hours by the week of June 4, Jojima said.
“By around that time, a certain decision or prospect (on the Diet extension) could be available,” he said in a television program aired Sunday.
The DPJ and opposition parties have agreed to launch debates on the legislation at a Lower House plenary meeting Tuesday, with discussions at the special committee set to begin May 16.