Tokyo's former governor, Shintaro Ishihara, on Sunday set a target of seizing more than 100 seats in the next general election, providing he can form a political group strong enough to challenge the ruling and largest opposition parties.
"Of course I would like to win over 100" of the Lower House's 480 seats in the next national vote, Ishihara, who plans to found a new political party by incorporating minor opposition groups, said during a TV show.
To that end, the former governor hopes to woo Tachiagare Nippon (Sunrise Party of Japan) and Your Party, and is also hoping to join hands with Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto's Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) in the runup to the next Lower House election, which must be held by next summer.