Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda appears fated to face some challenging times ahead as the 150-day ordinary Diet session opens Friday, only three days after an extraordinary session drew to a close.
Passing legislation has become tough for the Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito ruling bloc since the House of Councilors election last July, when the opposition camp scored a major triumph and took control of the chamber.
Fukuda learned this the hard way when he tried to enact the antiterrorism law — and twice had to extend the extraordinary session to do so. But it could be even harder this time around as the issues coming up for debate will directly affect voters' lives.