TOKYO: Major Japanese opposition parties agreed Thursday to submit a motion calling for extending the current session of the Diet, the country's parliament, by 40 days, aiming to grill Prime Minister Shinzo Abe further about the controversy over his cherry blossom-viewing parties.

It is rare for Japanese opposition parties to seek an extension of a Diet session. The current session is scheduled to end on Monday.

The opposition parties apparently aim to block an effort by the government and ruling bloc to put an end to debates about the cherry blossom parties, sources familiar with the situation said.

Abe has been under fire for inviting many of his supporters to the annual parties financed with state funds.

"The prime minister has been failing to fulfill his accountability," Tetsuro Fukuyama, secretary-general of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, told reporters.

"The Diet should not be allowed to close under the current situation," Fukuyama said.

The ruling camp is unlikely to accept the opposition request, the sources said.

Leaders from the opposition parties are set to meet on Friday to discuss whether to submit a no-confidence motion against the Abe cabinet.

JIJI Press