Three opposition parties agree to merge with DPJ

Four opposition parties officially agreed late March 12 to unite as a new party that will become the second-largest force after the Liberal Democratic Party.

Minseito (Good Governance Party), Shinto Yuai (Amity Party) and the Democratic Reform Party will effectively be merged into the Democratic Party of Japan, which is the largest opposition party, to rival the powerful LDP in this summer's Upper House election.

The new DPJ, which will have a total of 139 members -- the combined force of the four parties plus three independents -- in both chambers of the Diet, is to be officially launched in late April or early May, according to party sources. The four parties will now start working out their policy agenda and select a leader who would serve as their joint candidate for the post of prime minister. DPJ leader Naoto Kan, who claims strong popular support, is considered the most likely candidate.