Koshiishi says it will be difficult to hold election this year

Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Secretary General Azuma Koshiishi said Sunday that it will be difficult for the government to dissolve the lower house and call a general election this year.

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has been under increasing pressure from the nine opposition parties to dissolve the lower house after the current Diet session ends on Nov 30 and then call an election for Dec 16.

The main opposition Liberal Democratic Party said it would agree to take part in Diet deliberations on crucial bills only if Noda, in return, agreed to honor a promise he made in late summer to call an election "soon."

Speaking on a TV program, Koshiishi said the government and opposition parties need to focus on the passage of two bills -- one on issuing deficit-covering bonds and the other on correcting vote value disparity -- and not get bogged down on arguing about an election. He also urged the opposition parties not to use the bills as bargaining chips.

© Japan Today