Upper House lawmaker Renho has tendered her resignation as a member of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party. The move comes after she declared her candidacy to run in the Tokyo gubernatorial election to be held next month.

Renho submitted notice of her departure on Wednesday. She announced in late May that she will run in the election as an independent.

Renho told reporters she chose to run as an independent for Tokyo residents, expressing her hope to gain wide support.

Renho said she intends to announce her campaign pledges as early as next week and do all she can by using her 20-year experience as a lawmaker.

She said Tokyo can become better, stressing that the capital's policies can become more up-to-date in areas such as childrearing and education, as well as job satisfaction.

Referring to incumbent Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko, who announced her intention to run for a third term, Renho called herself a challenger. Renho said she is in a position to challenge Koike, while she learns from the incumbent's composure and strength.