Japan opposition in new grouping

Leaders of six political parties in Japan have formed a new alliance, which -- with nearly one hundred deputies -- will make it the largest opposition group in the lower house of parliament.

The alliance has yet to have a name, but a party leader at the meeting which established it, Naoto Kan of the Democratic Party, said the formal launch will be in time for the resumption of parliament on January the twelfth.

One of the first debates of the new parliamentary session will be on ways of solving Japan's financial crisis. month.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service