Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said Wednesday he would advocate cutting the salaries of lawmakers by more than 10 percent.

Noda's remarks came in a one-on-one Diet debate with opposition leaders held for the first time in the current Diet session.

When asked by New Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi if he sides with the idea that lawmaker salaries should be cut, Noda said, "I clearly say I agree."