Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Tuesday he could call a snap election before his term as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party ends on Sept. 30.

"Of course it's a possibility," Suga said in a TV interview regarding whether he may dissolve the House of Representatives for a general election. The current four-year term of lower house members ends on Oct. 21.

Suga also said opposition parties submitting a motion of no confidence in his Cabinet would be grounds for a snap election.

The remarks mirrored those of LDP Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai, who had warned the opposition to be prepared to head to the polls if they choose to submit a motion of no confidence.

The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and other opposition parties have suggested they could make such a move amid dissatisfaction with Suga's coronavirus response and a string of scandals by government officials.

Suga, however, reiterated that a snap election would only come about after COVID-19 is brought under control, stressing the importance of vaccinations in getting life back to normal.

Coronavirus cases in Japan have been increasing again after the state of emergency covering Tokyo and other regions was lifted last month, forcing the government to impose stricter measures under a quasi-emergency in Osaka and two other prefectures from this week.