A new research council on national strength will soon be launched within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Founding members include party heavyweights and lawmakers who competed against Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae in last year's party leadership race.

The new group will be nicknamed JiB, which stands for...

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister / Japan is back.

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister / Japan is back.

JiB is an abbreviation of "Japan is Back," a phrase frequently used by Takaichi.

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister / Japan is back.

The phrase was also seen on gifts presented to US President Donald Trump.

JiB is scheduled to be launched on May 21.

The group's objectives include deepening understanding of key policies such as constitutional revision and supporting the Takaichi administration.

Participants say that bringing in a wide range of influential party figures and potential successors to Takaichi is expected to help stabilize the party's foundation and pave the way to a long-term administration.