Normally, a prime minister will breathe a sigh of relief when the annual budget package clears the Lower House. But for Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, the chamber's approval of the 82.65 trillion yen fiscal 2001 budget could mark the beginning of the end for his administration.
Pressure has been steadily building in recent weeks -- even from within the ruling coalition -- for the embattled Mori to announce his resignation once his government ensures the enactment of the budget.
The financing package was approved by the Lower House late Friday. It will now automatically clear the full Diet within 30 days, with or without the endorsement of the Upper House.