The ruling Liberal Democratic Party regained a majority in the powerful House of Representatives on Friday when it agreed to allow a former Shinshinto member to return to the party fold.

It is the first time in four years for the LDP to have 251 members in the 500-seat chamber, including Lower House Speaker Soichiro Ito, who became an independent when he assumed the post last November. Traditionally, the speaker and vice speaker are independents to ensure fairness.

"It is meaningful for our party to have the majority in the chamber, which guarantees that the Cabinet will not be affected by a no-confidence motion," said LDP Secretary General Koichi Kato.