Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori hinted Monday that he may call a general election next month, saying calls for a June 25 poll from both the ruling and opposition camps would be "very helpful" in making a decision.
However, Mori did not commit himself to the date because he wants to make sure that important bills pass the Diet and that the economy is looking up.
"I must watch the Diet proceedings. It is also important that people can feel that the economy is moving in a good direction," Mori told reporters at a hotel in Rome, where he is on a three-day visit.
"I will think about when to decide on the timing of the election while observing (these factors)," he said.