The National Diet building is seen in this file photo taken in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. (Mainichi/Junichi Sasaki)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party are considering convening the Diet on Jan. 17 for a 150-day ordinary session, senior party officials said Thursday.

       If the parliamentary session is not extended, the House of Councillors' election will be held on July 10, with official campaigning starting on June 23, based on the election law.

       But campaigning for the election may begin earlier, as in 2016, to avoid a clash with Okinawa Memorial Day, when the island stops to remember the lives lost in the Battle of Okinawa.

       According to the national Diet law, an ordinary Diet session must be convened in January. The six-year terms of half of the upper house members will end on July 25.

       The government and the ruling coalition of the LDP and Komeito will make a final decision based on the progress of deliberations for the fiscal 2022 budget and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's diplomatic schedule.

       The prime minister is aiming to make a visit to the United States as soon as possible, with a visit to Australia also under consideration.

       If the Diet convenes between Jan. 19 and 25, campaigning for the election, typically held on a Sunday, will commence on June 30, with votes to be cast on July 17. But a senior LDP official has said it is "not ideal" to hold an election during the three-day long weekend through July 18.

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