Shinji Ishimaru — a candidate in last year’s Tokyo gubernatorial race who stunned many by finishing second, behind incumbent Gov. Yuriko Koike — announced Wednesday he will set up a new regional party, with the aim of fielding candidates in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election in July.

In a news conference in the capital, the former mayor of Akitakata, Hiroshima Prefecture, said concerns over the future of the country led him to the foundation of this new party, which he named Saisei no Michi — “The Path to Rebirth.”

“For a long time I’ve had the growing feeling that things were getting bad in this country, and that we need to do something about it,” Ishimaru said, explaining that the party will seek to promote public participation in politics, enhance the autonomy of local municipalities and foster the revitalization of each local community.

“I think Japan needs to change to the point of rebirth,” he said.

For the time being, the party won’t field any candidates in national elections, Ishimaru said.

He emphasized that he won’t run for office himself, but will instead take a leading role in the selection of candidates to be fielded in all 42 constituencies across the capital.

In setting forth the conditions for the recruitment of young blood to beef up his new party, Ishimaru said that candidates will be allowed to run for a maximum of two terms — for a total of eight years.

Upon completion of their two terms, they will be encouraged to return to their previous job or continue their political career, even in other parties, outside of the assembly.

The party aims to extend the scope of its activities beyond Tokyo after the July election, Ishimaru said.

While the party has no particular restrictions for candidates, it will conduct a screening process similar to those done by private corporations during its recruitment, which lasts until Feb. 16.

”I want people to approach the world of politics as naturally and casually as they would do if they wanted to change jobs,” Ishimaru said. “As assembly members, I want them to make rational decisions to maximize profit not just in the short term, but also in the long run.”

In his over 90-minute-plus news conference, Ishimaru didn’t outline his new party's policy platform; he merely said every candidate will need to show their resolve for tackling the challenges of their constituencies and that the party won’t be involved in ideological debates.

Admitting that the potential supporters of his party could overlap with those of the Democratic Party for the People (DPP), an opposition party that quadrupled its seats in last October’s snap Lower House election by winning over young voters, Ishimaru said he will consult Yuichiro Tamaki, the DPP chief currently suspended from his post over an extramarital affair, over potential cooperation.

Ishimaru first gained notoriety when he clashed with the media and assembly members of Akitakata when he was mayor. After his stunning second-place finish in last year's gubernatorial election in Tokyo, many had speculated about his next move.

Elections for the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly — which has 127 seats — are often seen as a barometer for national elections. The next Upper House election is slated to be held shortly after the Tokyo polls.

The Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito — the ruling coalition at the national level — and Koike's Tomin First no Kai currently have majority control of the assembly. The LDP's Tokyo branch is grappling with a scandal for underreporting revenues from fundraising parties, an affair similar to the one that caused the party to lose its majority in the Lower House during the October election.