An agreement seen as a test of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's promised reforms of inefficient government-linked corporations appears to be back on the negotiating table.
Trade minister Takeo Hiranuma said Tuesday he "is ready to discuss" draft legislation related to the restructuring of the Japan National Oil Corp. with a senior Liberal Democratic Party official who opposes the move.
Hiranuma's remark came after Mitsuo Horiuchi, chairman of the LDP Executive Council, earlier in the week threw a road block in front of the planned reform by asking Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to carry out a fundamental review of the bills drafted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.