Japan’s digital minister could challenge Premier Kishada for party helm

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - Japan's Digital Minister Taro Kono intends to run in the upcoming Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) presidential election, Kyodo news quoted a source as saying on Thursday.

He wants to challenge Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who has indicated his willingness to be reelected.

Kono, known as an outspoken lawmaker, conveyed his intention to become the next premier to LDP Vice President Taro Aso, a former prime minister, during a dinner Wednesday.

Kono, however, said he has not disclosed his intention to anyone.

"Who? Which Mr. Kono?" he responded when asked by reporters Thursday about the report. "I have never disclosed what I discussed over dinner. That's an interesting novel.”

If Kono, 61, contests, it would be a rare case of a minister challenging an incumbent prime minister in the ruling party to become president.

The approval ratings for Kishida's Cabinet have plunged to their lowest levels since it was formed in October 2021, mainly because of his handling of a slush funds scandal, and there have been growing calls within the LDP for Kishida not to seek reelection.

Kono, a ninth-term House of Representatives lawmaker, has held key posts such as foreign minister.

He lost to Kishida in a second-round runoff in the 2021 LDP presidential race.​​​​​​​