Eighteen lawmakers of Japan¡¯s ruling Liberal Democratic Party have joined a party faction led by LDP Vice President Taro Aso, bringing the faction¡¯s membership to a record 60 people, it was learned Thursday.
The Aso faction is the only one remaining in the party, after all other factions disbanded in the wake of a high-profile slush fund scandal.
The new members include four individuals who returned to the faction after winning back a parliamentary seat in the Feb. 8 House of Representatives election, and 11 people who were elected to the Lower House for the first time.
¡°While we received overwhelming support in the election to choose who runs the government, we are barely getting by in the House of Councilors,¡± Aso said Thursday at the faction¡¯s first regular meeting since the general election. The LDP-Japan Innovation Party coalition lacks a majority in the Upper House.
¡°We should communicate with parties with which we can cooperate on issues, including revising the Constitution,¡± Aso added.
Meanwhile, former Justice Minister Eisuke Mori left the faction after being chosen as Lower House speaker.
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