Senior government officials and ruling Democratic Party of Japan executives said Jan. 11 that the number of advisors to the prime minister will be doubled from the current five as part of efforts to enhance politicians' initiative in decision-making.

The government and DPJ executives, including Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, also said 15 senior vice ministers and parliamentary secretaries will be added.

The new advisors will come from political circles and the private sector.

The manpower increase, decided at a meeting of senior government and DPJ officials, is part of efforts to revise various laws, including the Cabinet Law, during the ordinary Diet session that starts Jan. 18.

Meeting participants also agreed to pass the fiscal 2009 extra budget and the fiscal 2010 general budget as early as possible, and to meet around once a week.