The Liberal Democratic Party leadership launched a series of study sessions Tuesday for its 83 fledgling House of Representatives members, a move expected to further weaken faction influence.

The sessions were organized by Prime Minister and LDP President Junichiro Koizumi to help the new Diet members remain independent from the party's factions, which once dominated national politics.

Party executives plan to hold 10 such sessions until Oct. 13 so the new Lower House members can learn about Diet affairs and policy issues without having to join a faction.