The Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito ruling bloc passed the ¥88 trillion fiscal 2009 budget and related legislation Feb. 28 through the Lower House, paving the way for implementing the biggest initial budget ever by the March 31 end of the fiscal year.

Although the budget bill will almost certainly be voted down by the Upper House, which the opposition parties control, Article 60 of the Constitution gives the House of Representatives the authority to override the upper chamber if no consensus can be reached within 30 days.

Prime Minister Taro Aso has said repeatedly that the government aims to boost the economy with a "three-stage rocket," referring to the fiscal 2009 budget on top of the two extra budgets for fiscal 2008.

Aso told reporters after the bills' passage that his focus is now on ensuring that the budget and related bills are enacted to effect the emergency economic measures.