The tenure of Natsuo Yamaguchi, 71, as leader of Komeito, the coalition partner of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, may be extended, given the possibility that the next general election will be held this autumn, party sources said Thursday.
Yamaguchi's current term will end at a party convention in September, but there is a proposal to postpone the party convention until after the next general election, according to the sources.
In a radio program on Wednesday, Yamaguchi mentioned a possible dissolution of the House of Representatives, the all-important lower chamber of the Diet, after the LDP's leadership election in September.