TOKYO -- With her political star rising higher as her new national party moves to join forces with the main opposition Democratic Party, popular Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike's next step could have a big impact on the outcome of next month's lower house election.
While many expect Koike to parlay her amped-up clout into a campaign for the lower house, others say she should not walk away from the governorship before her term ends. She will likely make a decision after carefully gauging public opinion.
