More than 140 lawmakers are expected to participate in an upcoming merger between the nation's two largest opposition parties, senior members of the parties said Thursday.
The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Democratic Party for the People have been in talks to join together and mount a united front against Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition.
The CDP, the nation's largest opposition party, currently has 89 lawmakers — 56 in the House of Representatives and 33 in the House of Councilors. The DPP has 40 and 22, respectively, for a total of 62.