Japan's PM eyes year-end election in quid-pro-quo deal with opposition (5)

"Reflecting the strong resistance within the DPJ to an early dissolution, Koshiishi expressed a cautious stance toward the move, " the Asahi Shimbun said.

DPJ lawmakers may wish for public support ratings to elevate before a general election be held and as such may be opposed to Noda leaning toward an early election date.

But being that the debt-financing bill is likely to be passed in the lower house as soon as Thursday, according to local media reports, with the LDP indicating it will allow its passage, an early election is almost guaranteed without Noda backtracking, political pundits maintain.