Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) picked up only 54 seats in the Lower House election, a far cry from the hundreds of seats party leaders had hoped for.
But party leaders were already looking ahead to the next Upper House election, and indicated a willingness to work with the Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito coalition on areas of common interest.
The Osaka-based party, founded by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto and Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui, dismissed criticism that last month's tieup with former Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara and former members of Tachiagare Nippon (Sunrise Party of Japan) was to blame for the disappointing result.