Supporters of former Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiroku Kajiyama, the runnerup in the Liberal Democratic Party presidential race Friday, plan to form a policy study group under his leadership within the LDP.
The agreement was reached at a meeting of LDP members who had backed Kajiyama in the race, the participants said. Kajiyama captured 102 of the 365 votes cast by party members.
Speaking before his supporters, Kajiyama, 72, said lawmakers must respond to the public's discontent over today's situation. "Today is a starting point, and I pledge to do my best (in politics)," Kajiyama said. "I promise to take the lead."