3 lawmakers leaving DPJ to join Hashimoto's new party

TOKYO, Japan - Three lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Japan -- Yorihisa Matsuno (2nd from L), a former deputy chief Cabinet secretary and a House of Representatives member, Takashi Ishizeki (far R), also a lower house member, and Masashi Mito (C), a House of Councillors member -- carry their letters of resignation which they handed to DPJ Acting Secretary General Shinji Tarutoko at the Diet building in Tokyo on Sept. 11, 2012. They are among seven lawmakers planning to join a new political party to be set up soon by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto.