The United States refused to comment Monday on Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's decision to call a general election but stressed he is a "staunch ally."
"What's happening in Japan on the postal reform and on Prime Minister Koizumi's parliamentary decisions are internal matters that we don't have a comment on," State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli told reporters.
But after being pressed to comment on whether Washington is concerned about losing a partner, Ereli said: "I don't have any comment. Prime Minister Koizumi is a staunch ally and a good friend of the United States. I'll leave it at that."
Overnight in Tokyo, Koizumi dissolved the House of Representatives and called a general election for Sept. 11, after the postal privatization bills, the centerpiece of his reform drive, were rejected by the House of Councilors. More members than expected of his own Liberal Democratic Party voted against them.