TOKYO, Aug. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi strongly suggested Saturday he would dissolve the House of Representatives if the House of Councilors fail to endorse a set of bills to privatize postal services Monday, Kyodo News reported.

    "I have already made up my mind," the premier was quoted as saying at a press conference in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, where he is attending a ceremony commemorating the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city.

    Koizumi also told reporters when asked about calls within his own Liberal Democratic Party opposing a dissolution, "The conclusion will be due on the 8th of August. I hope to make a political decision comprehensively after seeing the outcome of a vote on the bills at the upper house plenary session."

    The bills cleared an upper house panel Friday after passing the House of Representatives last month only by a narrow margin. But obtaining their passage in the upper house is expected to be difficult.

    The prime minister cannot dissolve the upper house but has the discretion to dissolve the lower house.

    "I have received opinions that a political vacuum should not becreated and that I should seek a way not to dissolve the chamber," Koizumi added. Enditem