Shizuka Kamei, a veteran lawmaker who left the ruling bloc in April in protest of the government's push to hike the consumption tax, said Monday he will launch a new political party ahead of the Dec. 16 general election.
Kamei, 76, will team up with former farm minister Masahiko Yamada, who submitted a letter of resignation from the Democratic Party of Japan on Monday, to form the new party, which will oppose Japan's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks.
Kamei said the party will be represented by five Diet members, including himself and Yamada.