The Diet will convene an extraordinary session Friday to decide whether to extend the antiterrorism law by two years, but this may not go off without a hitch: Lawmakers appear to have already shifted their attention away from this issue to the House of Representatives election expected for November.

Extending the law, which allows the Self-Defense Forces to provide logistic support for U.S. antiterrorism operations in and around Afghanistan, is the main reason for the 36-day extraordinary session because it must be done before Nov. 1, when the law is set to expire.

Once the bill is approved by the Diet, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will be free to dissolve the Lower House, a move he hinted would take place Oct. 10, and hold the election possibly on Nov. 9.