Prime Minister Taro Aso refused once again on Saturday to divulge his timing for dissolving the Lower House and calling a snap election, stating that the economy is his top priority.
In an interview with members of the press club at the Prime Minister's office in Chiyoda Ward, Aso repeated that he does not intend to call an election before the fiscal 2009 budget clears the Diet.
"I think it would be irresponsible if I didn't confirm the effects of the economic measures" in the second extra budget for 2008 and the budget for fiscal 2009, Aso said.