Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has defended his decision not to appoint six scholars as members of Japan's leading academic body, a move which has drawn criticism from opposition parties.

Suga spoke to reporters on Monday about the refusal to appoint six nominees to the Science Council of Japan, the first such move since the current nomination scheme began in fiscal 2004.

The Science Council of Japan says it wants Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide to explain why he refused to appoint some of its nominated candidates. It has also decided to repeat its call for their appointment.

The council is designated as a special organization under the jurisdiction of the prime minister. It makes policy proposals independently from the government.