The ruling and opposition parties agreed in principle Tuesday to revise bills for establishing a consumer affairs agency, making it highly likely the legislation will soon be enacted in the Diet.
The agreement was reached at a meeting of the House of Representatives' special committee on consumer affairs. The Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito ruling bloc is aiming to get the legislation passed by Friday.
Prime Minister Taro Aso has stressed the need to establish the agency, championed by his predecessor Yasuo Fukuda, as soon as possible to ensure public safety, which has been damaged by several food-labeling and food-safety scandals.