In his final speech as Liberal Democratic Party president to mark the opening of the ordinary Diet session Friday, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi reiterated his plan to trim the civil service, consolidate state-backed financial institutions and push further administrative reforms.
Koizumi delivered his 2006 basic policy outline at the opening of the 150-day ordinary session, which runs through June 18.
"With momentum from postal privatization, I will continue reforms to create a simple and efficient government," Koizumi told lawmakers.