The government plans to revise the law to help housewives who might fail to receive the pensions they expect, repealing the current controversial relief measures, sources said.

Specifics of the revision are being worked in hopes of ensuring a fair system for all full-time housewives paying into the pension system, they said.

Welfare minister Ritsuo Hosokawa, appearing before a Diet committee Wednesday, again offered an apology over the matter. He said he won't resign, but he will voluntarily return his ¥3.7 million salary as a minister from last September to next month.