A key policy-setting panel on Monday finalized an interim report proposing that Japan Post be fully privatized in 2012 at the earliest and maintain its nationwide network of post offices.
But experts said the government must overcome many hurdles before it decides next fall on the final postal privatization plan, a key policy goal of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
The Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy, led by Koizumi, released the report after fine-tuning the wording of a draft agreed upon Wednesday.