Diet debate on a government-proposed bill to recognize the Hinomaru as the national flag and "Kimigayo" as the national anthem began Tuesday with Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi telling a Lower House plenary session that legal recognition would give the Japanese people the correct understanding of the national symbols.

Earlier in the day, New Komeito, which has often straddled the fence between the ruling and opposition camps, gave its formal nod to the bills — provided there is proper Diet debate, making it highly likely the bill will clear the legislature as early as mid- July.

New Komeito's support will give the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Liberal Party, its junior coalition partner, enough votes to secure passage of the bill during the current Diet session, which ends Aug. 13.

Responding to a question raised by Eisei Ito of the Democratic Party of Japan, Obuchi said the government did not consider it necessary in February to prepare legislation on the Hinomaru (Sun Flag) and "Kimigayo" because they have been widely used as national symbols. "But when thinking about the meaning of sharing the common value based on Japanese tradition and custom, the fact that Japan is a country with statute law, and the fact that there are countries that legally recognize national anthems and flags, it is necessary to clearly stipulate the national flag and anthem in a law before the nation enters the 21st century," Obuchi said.

The prime minister added that the government does not intend to require the public to engage in obligatory acts along with the legislation. "Thus, I think the legislation will bring no changes to people's daily lives," he said.

In his questions to Obuchi, Kazuo Shii, head of the Japanese Communist Party secretariat, voiced opposition to the legislation, claiming the Hinomaru and "Kimigayo" are not rooted in the public as national symbols and they are not suited to be the national flag and anthem.

During a morning meeting, New Komeito legislators agreed that the Hinomaru and "Kimigayo" have become established symbols by usage, party officials said. The party also said legally recognizing the flag and anthem could not conceivably revive militarism in Japan.

New Komeito Secretary General Tetsuzo Fuyushiba, however, insisted the party's support is not automatic. "We will give our support if we are convinced by what Cabinet ministers say during Diet interpellation, among other factors," Fuyushiba told reporters after the meeting held in the Diet building.

Concerning how to deal with the flag and anthem at schools, Fuyushiba said, "A sharp line should be drawn with the legislation issue."

The government began studying legislation in March following the suicide of a high school principal in Hiroshima Prefecture on Feb. 28, apparently due to a disagreement within the school over an order from the prefectural education board that "Kimigayo" be sung at its graduation ceremony.

However, the recent attempt by the government to try to make the Hinomaru and "Kimigayo" official through legislation has provoked public debate because of the close association of the symbols with Japan's past militarism and the emperor system.

According to the bill, the diameter of the red circle representing the sun on the Hinomaru will be 60 percent of the white flag's length, and the center of the sun will be the center of the flag. The lyrics and musical score of "Kimigayo" are also included in the bill.