Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Tuesday he will appoint a special minister this summer to oversee privatization of the postal services, hoping the appointment will help complete the reform by 2007.

"It is a big reform. Considering Diet debate on bills, a minister in charge of it should be appointed," Koizumi told reporters.

He stopped short of mentioning the exact timing of the appointment and said he will make a decision in light of progress made in drawing up related bills.