A new political study group consisting of members from three opposition parties was formed July 17 with the aim of countering a possible conservative alliance centering around the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

The 19 lawmakers, from Shinshinto, the Democratic Party of Japan and the Taiyo Party, met in Tokyo and agreed to name their group Kaikaku Kaigi (Reform Council). The members include former Prime Minister Tsutomu Hata, who quit Shinshinto and created the Taiyo Party last December, joint DPJ founders Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan, as well as Megumu Sato, a veteran Shinshinto member who has served as justice minister and posts and telecommunications minister. The group includes nine other Shinshinto lawmakers.

"Amid the continuing political impasse, we have been criticized because no opposition forces exist," Shinshinto member Michihiko Kano said. "We need to go back to our starting point to promote political reform. We must not allow the LDP to rule as the only party."

Kano said the council will call on others to join. It remains to be seen whether the council can serve to unite opposition forces, which have various policy differences.

Shinshinto President Ichiro Ozawa and some veteran LDP members are seeking a conservative alliance between the LDP and Shinshinto. Kano said the newly established group will reach out to lawmakers who are against such a grand coalition.