Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori expressed hope Saturday that a bill to revise the education law to stress public spirit and Japanese tradition will be enacted quickly, even if the current Diet session has to be extended.
He aired the view in a speech here, saying that enacting the contentious bill would help Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's reform efforts.
The government plans to present the bill to revise the 1947 basic education law to the Diet on Friday, according to ruling coalition sources.
It is unclear whether the amendment can pass both houses of the Diet during the 150-day regular session as some LDP executives, particularly in the House of Councilors, have rejected moves to set a timeline for the amendment.
The current 150-day regular session lasts until June 18.