The shotgun political marriage between Shiga Gov. Yukiko Kada and Diet veteran Ichiro Ozawa was formally annulled Friday night, with both sides promising to respect and work with each other where possible, and with Kada's future in doubt.

Kada, Ozawa and Lower house lawmaker Yuko Mori held a press conference, in which it was announced that Kada's group, whose Tomoko Abe is its only Diet member, will retain the name Nippon Mirai no To (Tomorrow Party of Japan). But it lacks the numbers to remain an official national political party, hence the state subsidy goes to Ozawa's camp.

Fifteen one-time Nippon Mirai ranks, all Diet members, including Ozawa and Mori, will take over Nippon Mirai's organizational infrastructure and rename itself as the new Seikatsu no To (Lifestyle Party).