Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers are actively forming new groups after most of the ruling party's traditional factions went defunct amid public criticism of their recent slush-fund scandal.

While the minority government of Prime Minister and LDP President Shigeru Ishiba is struggling, his peers in the party are busy preparing for a possible sudden shift in the political situation that could result in a leadership change.

They have set up parliamentarian leagues and study groups to realize specific policies. Traditional faction-based gatherings continue, although most factions have shut their offices or disbanded.