A new party envisioned by a lawmaker close to popular Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike plans to field several dozen candidates in an upcoming general election expected for Oct. 22, the lawmaker said Wednesday.
Independent lawmaker Masaru Wakasa said on a radio program that he will choose at least 50 candidates from the political academy he founded.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who doubles as chief of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, has reportedly decided to dissolve the Lower House later this month before the new party and opposition forces are fully prepared for the election.