In a move seen by many as a stepping stone toward the formation of a new opposition party, the Reform Council was launched on August 25 by 87 Diet members from four opposition parties.
The launch reinforces the lawmakers' efforts to rival the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Holding its first session at a Diet room, the group said that 87 have applied for membership. Of the total, 53 lawmakers attended the session while the others sent secretaries as deputies.
By party, the council is made up of 37 members from the Democratic Party of Japan, 32 from Shinshinto, 13 from the Taiyo Party, four from the Democratic Reform Party and one independent. It is known in Japanese as Kaikaku Kaigi.