2 opposition parties merge into Japan's 3rd-largest party

2 opposition parties merge into Japan's 3rd-largest party

TOKYO, Japan - Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto (L) and Kenji Eda, a House of Representatives lawmaker, shake hands during a press conference at a hotel in Tokyo on Sept. 21, 2014, after becoming co-leaders of the Japan Innovation Party. Hashimoto's Japan Restoration Party and Eda's Yuinotoh party merged to create the Japan Innovation Party, Japan's third-largest party and second in the opposition bloc.

2 opposition parties merge into Japan's 3rd-largest party

2 opposition parties merge into Japan's 3rd-largest party

TOKYO, Japan - Members of the small opposition Japan Restoration Party and Yuinotoh party raise their fists during a gathering to merge their groups. The new party, the Japan Innovation Party, is Japan's third largest and second in the opposition bloc.

2 opposition parties merge into Japan's 3rd-largest party

2 opposition parties merge into Japan's 3rd-largest party

TOKYO, Japan - Members of the small opposition Japan Restoration Party and Yuinotoh party raise their fists during a gathering to merge their groups. The new party, the Japan Innovation Party, is Japan's third largest and second in the opposition bloc. (Kyodo)

2 opposition parties merge into Japan's 3rd-largest party

2 opposition parties merge into Japan's 3rd-largest party

TOKYO, Japan - Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto (L) and Kenji Eda, a House of Representatives lawmaker, shake hands during a press conference at a hotel in Tokyo on Sept. 21, 2014, after becoming co-leaders of the Japan Innovation Party. Hashimoto's Japan Restoration Party and Eda's Yuinotoh party merged to create the Japan Innovation Party, Japan's third-largest party and second in the opposition bloc. (Kyodo)