Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and Liberal Party leader Ichiro Ozawa met Monday and confirmed they will "make efforts till the last minute to realize their policy agreement."
During their 20-minute talk, however, the two leaders made no concrete progress over a proposed reduction in the number of seats in the Lower House, according to officials of the two parties.
"I am aware ... that the situation is critical," Obuchi told reporters at his official residence, ahead of his talks with Ozawa. "I will do my utmost toward resolving the issue."