Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso said on Jan. 4 that he will not consider dissolving the Diet for a snap general election as he will focus on dealing with the staggering economy.

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso speaks during New Year news conference at his official residence in Tokyo January 4, 2009. [Xinhua/Reuters]

He said that a general election is not possible "until the fiscal 2009 budget and related bills are passed", reiterating that he will decide when to dissolve the Diet.

Aso told the first press conference in 2009 that he will seek to raise the consumption tax after Japan's economy recovers, adding that the government and his ruling Liberal Democratic Party" cannot do something irresponsible."

The ruling coalition is to submit budget bills to the parliament, which will convene on Monday, hoping to pass them by the end of this fiscal year ending March 31.

Aso, who took office in September last year, needs to hold an election by September, but the opposition has been pressing the premier to dissolve the lower house as soon as possible, as the opposition ranks higher in approval rating than the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

(Xinhua News Agency January 6, 2009)