National News

Opposition parties set to merge before election

音声ダウンロード

The main opposition Democratic Party of Japan and the smaller opposition Ishin no To (Japan Innovation Party) are putting the final touches to a merger plan as part of efforts to better challenge the ruling bloc led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a House of Councillors election this summer, lawmakers of the two parties said Feb. 23.

DPJ President Katsuya Okada said he wants to launch a new party by the end of March. He proposed the party have a new name, but veteran DPJ lawmakers opposed the idea. (Kyodo)

民主と維新、合流で最終調整

夏の参議院選挙で自民・公明両党に対抗するため、民主党と維新の党が合流する方向で最終調整に入った。民主党の岡田克也代表は3月中に新党結成を目指すと述べた。

The Japan Times ST: March 4, 2016