The ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Monday officially readmitted 11 of the lawmakers kicked out of the party last year for opposing postal privatization, its key reform.

The "postal reform rebels" submitted a written request seeking readmission to the LDP last week and were welcomed back into the fold by the party's ethics committee with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's blessing.

"I expect there may be strong opposition against the rebels rejoining the party," Abe told reporters afterward.