TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's ruling bloc is set to regain its majority in the powerful House of Representatives as three independent lawmakers in the chamber have decided to join the in-house group of the Liberal Democratic Party, which leads the coalition, a source familiar with the matter said Thursday.
The three lower house lawmakers, who belong to the same parliamentary group, are expected to announce their decision on Friday, according to the source, in a move that will allow Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who took office last month and leads the LDP, to stably manage the government.
Parliamentary groups are formed by lawmakers who do not belong to a particular party.
The ruling camp, which previously consisted of the LDP and its coalition partner of 26 years the Komeito party, fell into a minority in the lower chamber following the general election in October last year.
Komeito left the coalition last month and was replaced by the Japan Innovation Party.
The LDP holds 196 seats and the JIP, also known as Nippon Ishin, has 34 in the 465-member lower house, which carries more weight than the House of Councillors on decisions such as choosing the prime minister and approving a draft budget.
