TOKYO: Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary HAYASHI Yoshimasa on Tuesday announced his candidacy in the Sept. 27 election to decide the next president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

The 63-year-old told a press conference that if elected, he will consider an independent administrative agency tasked with monitoring political funds, in light of a money scandal that has rocked LDP factions.

Hayashi also vowed to reconsider how to allocate money to party lawmakers paid from government grants to political parties, so as to decrease their dependence on political fundraising party revenues to fund their activities.

He voiced intent to realize a proposal by the Diet, the country’s parliament, for a constitutional revision during the three-year term as LDP president.

On whether the country should introduce a selective dual surname system, Hayashi said that he personally believes it would be “alright” to have such a system.

“It’s our job to create a broad consensus” by gathering opinions from the general public, he said.

The winner of the election will succeed outgoing LDP President KISHIDA Fumio, the country’s prime minister.

JIJI Press