The Shinshinto (新進党, "new progress party") was founded in 1994 by former prime minister Kaifu Toshiki, and immediately became one of the members of the ruling anti-LDP coalition led by Hosokawa Morihiro. In 1996, former coalition leader Hata Tsutomu took over.

The party was dissolved in 1997, and its remnants collated into several tiny parties, including the Liberal Party, Reform Club, New Peace Party, and New Fraternity Party.