Opposition digs in against Noda

Opposition lawmakers grilled Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Thursday over planned social security and tax reforms and his "inability" to keep his party's campaign pledges, and pressed again for him to call a Lower House election.

Just two days into the current 150-day ordinary Diet session, Liberal Democratic Party President Sadakazu Tanigaki blasted Noda for breaking a promise to the public in attempting to raise the consumption tax, which was not part of his Democratic Party of Japan's 2009 campaign platform.

"Noda should first apologize to voters and then dissolve the Lower House for a snap election. (The LDP) is going to openly call on (him) for an election," Tanigaki told a Lower House plenary session.