Leaders of three small opposition parties announced Wednesday they will form a joint parliamentary group during the Diet session that begins Jan. 12 and open negotiations on forming a new party.
Michihiko Kano, who is to become head of Voice of the People; Taiyo Party chief Tsutomu Hata; and From Five leader Morihiro Hosokawa made the announcement at a hastily arranged joint news conference.
Their move follows the dissolution of Shinshinto, which was the largest opposition party, and is expected to accelerate realignment of opposition forces. The three politicians said they have agreed to start discussions by the end of this month.