Staff writer
The ruling LDP-Liberal Party alliance hopes to push bills covering updated Japan-U.S. defense cooperation guidelines through the Lower House as early as April 15, party sources said Thursday.
With the support of New Komeito, the alliance is eyeing approval during a special committee on April 14, then the lower chamber's approval at a plenary session scheduled the following day, according to the sources. In an effort to win New Komeito's support, senior officials of the Liberal Democratic Party and Liberal Party are holding behind-the-scenes negotiations with opposition parties to discuss possible revisions.