The Liberal Democratic Party adopted its own basic plan on postal reform Tuesday, incorporating criticism leveled by opponents of the government's plan to privatize the state-backed Japan Post.
Without making a final decision on whether to support the government, the party sought to keep the nationwide network of post offices intact and maintain "uniform provision" of the three postal services -- mail delivery, savings and life insurance -- across the country.
The plan notes that many lawmakers oppose Japan Post's privatization, despite it being a key initiative of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, the LDP president.
"(The LDP plan) still has a substantial gap with the government's policy, and we have a long way to go," Koizumi told reporters at his office.
Koizumi said the government is not considering changing its plan but will try to plug the gaps with the ruling party when it drafts the privatization bill for the Diet in March.
Japan Post and its predecessor have traditionally been a strong source of votes for the LDP.
Adopted in September amid a rare lack of LDP support, the government's plan calls for Japan Post to be split into four private businesses over a 10-year period starting in April 2007.
The state's plan envisions only mail delivery continuing "universal" service.