An increasingly visible political group led by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto has begun considering becoming a full-fledged party in time for the next general election by headhunting lawmakers of existing parties, Hashimoto said Friday.
Senior officials of the group, Osaka Ishin no kai (One Osaka), have already held informal discussions with Lower and Upper house members of both the ruling and opposition parties in case Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda dissolves the House of Representatives and calls a general election.
With some lawmakers expressing interest in running on the Hashimoto group's ticket, it could trigger a change in the political landscape if it decides to openly solicit election candidates.