Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, also the head of Kibo no To (Party of Hope), said Wednesday she will distance herself from national politics and that her party's Diet members will handle parliamentary affairs, including the nomination of top executives within the Diet caucus of the nation's second-largest opposition force.

Koike, who had just returned from a trip to Paris in the capacity of Tokyo governor, met party members who survived Sunday's Lower House election. After the meeting, Koike said she will not resign as party president, saying she bears "responsibility as the founder of the party."

Wednesday's meeting continued for more than three hours. Some party members called for Koike's resignation, but others encouraged her to stay, according to Koike.