The House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon approved a package of postal services bills, paving the way for the enactment of the controversial legislation during the current Diet session.

The package -- a key legislative pillar of the reform agenda advocated by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi -- cleared a Lower House plenary session on the strength of a ruling bloc majority.

The bills were sent immediately to the House of Councilors; they are expected to win passage before the Diet session closes at the end of July.