Reversing an earlier decision, top executives of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party agreed Monday that corporate donations should be banned beginning next year as stipulated in a 1995 law.

But strong opposition lingers within the LDP over the ban, and it may take some time before a full party consensus is reached. Chief Cabinet Secretary Mikio Aoki said earlier in the day that the final decision rests with Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, who is also president of the LDP.

"We have promised the people (such a ban) and we have to follow it through," LDP Secretary General Yoshiro Mori told an afternoon meeting of top party executives.