TOKYO: Japanese digital transformation minister KONO Taro on Monday declared his candidacy for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s leadership election.

Kono said in a press conference that he will “restore fiscal discipline.”

He is the third person to launch a bid for the LDP leadership and the first among sitting cabinet members.

Former economic security minister KOBAYASHI Takayuki, 49, and former LDP Secretary-General ISHIBA Shigeru, 67, have already announced their candidacy for the Sept. 27 party presidential election.

Kono expressed his intention to request LDP lawmakers involved in the party’s slush funds scandal to repay the amounts not recorded in their political funds reports.

He has been elected to the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament, nine times and is a member of an LDP faction led by former Prime Minister ASO Taro. It is his third attempt to become party chief.

JIJI Press