More than 100 Diet members from the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, the Democratic Party of Japan and Kokumin Shinto have formed a supra-partisan lawmakers' association in response to a call by Sentaku (Choice), a policy study group mainly pushing for devolution and elections based on concrete and feasible campaign promises. The policy study group explains that the association will serve as a forum to deepen discussions on such policy matters as devolution, pensions, road-related taxes and Diet reform so that the discussion results will be reflected in each party's campaign promises. It is hoped that through their discussions the lawmakers will come up with concrete proposals to solve the nation's pressing issues.

Sentaku is composed of about 140 people, including 13 prefectural governors and other heads of local governments. It also includes academicians and business leaders. Its main purpose is to promote local autonomy free from the control by the central government and bureaucrats. A second purpose is to have political parties write campaign promises that clearly set numerical targets and deadlines and indicate concrete revenue sources for policy implementation. The policy study group hopes that such campaign promises based on discussions by members of the lawmakers' association will help voters determine which party to vote for in future general elections.

Apart from the Sentaku-backed association of lawmakers, several other supra-partisan associations of lawmakers have formed to discuss various issues. Some lawmakers may have joined such groups to network in preparation for a possible realignment of political parities. But lawmakers should concentrate on policy discussions because people want to see solutions to issues affecting their lives, including medical services, pensions and community development. They also should not be afraid to hold divergent opinions on ideas. If such differences are reflected in their parties' campaign promises, voters will have more choices.