Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a news conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 13, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Thursday that he will not dissolve the lower house for a snap election during the ongoing parliamentary session, ending weeks of speculation.

Kishida told reporters that his government's role is to "address challenges that have been postponed to date," and based on that view, "I am not thinking about dissolving the House of Representatives by the end of the current parliamentary session."

Kishida said that he has asked ruling lawmakers to vote down the no-confidence motion being planned by the main opposiiton Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan

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Earlier in the day, local media reported that the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is planning to submit a no-confidence motion against Kishida's cabinet on Friday.

The planned move by an opposition party is not uncommon during the run-up to the closing of regular parliamentary sessions, typically convened in January, and it is almost certain to be voted down by the ruling majority.

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Kishida said that he has asked ruling lawmakers to vote down the no-confidence motion.