Ex-Tokyo Governor Ishihara launches new party

TOKYO - Ex-Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara launched a new party headed by himself on Tuesday.

The new party, Taiyo no To (party of sun), incorporates all five members of the conservative opposition Sunrise Party.

Sunrise Party chief Takeo Hiranuma and Secretary General Hiroyuki Sonoda are among the five lawmakers incorporated into Ishihara's new party.

The 80-year-old Ishihara, known for his nationalistic views, aims to form a "third force" that will challenge the ruling Democratic Party of Japan and main opposition Liberal Democratic Party in the coming House of Representatives election, according to local media reports.

Ishihara has been reportedly seeking to join hands with the minor opposition Your Party and Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto's Japan Restoration Party.