It looks as though the nation will have to wait a little longer than expected for its new prime minister.
Sources said the Democratic Party of Japan has rejected the proposed Sept. 22 starting date for an extraordinary Diet session to select the next prime minister.
The DPJ has scheduled a party convention for Sept. 25, and it doesn't want the Diet session held before that, the sources said.
The ruling coalition is now looking to arrange the starting date for Sept. 26 or later, they said.
The Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, New Komeito, had initially planned to hold the session two days after the LDP's leadership election Sept. 20.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi asked LDP Secretary General Tsutomu Takebe on Monday to consult with opposition parties over the start of the Diet session.