2 Japan opposition forces eye new party to coordinate lower house election

TOKYO - Japan's main opposition force and a former junior partner of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party are eyeing the formation of a new political party to coordinate cooperation in a possible general election, sources familiar with the matter said Wednesday.

The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Komeito party aim to unite as a centrist force to challenge the conservative ruling camp led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who plans to dissolve the House of Representatives in the near future.