Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tuesday he will take responsibility should his ruling Liberal Democratic Party and junior coalition partner Komeito fail to achieve his self-imposed goal of securing more than a majority in July's Upper House election.

In a public debate with other party leaders at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, Abe renewed his pledge for the LDP-Komeito coalition to win 61 of the 121 seats up for grabs in the crucial summer poll.

"As both prime minister and leader of the LDP, I will make an all-out effort toward this goal," Abe said.