Japan’s vaccination campaign head to stand for ruling party leadership

Tokyo, Sep 10 (EFE).- Japan’s Administrative and Regulatory Reform Minister Taro Kono, in charge of the Covid-19 vaccination campaign in the country, presented his candidacy Friday for the primaries of the ruling Liberal Democrat Party.

Kono, who was Foreign Affairs and Defense Minister during the Shinzo Abe era, is the third candidate to formalize his proposal and one of the most mediatic faces of Japanese politics and the government of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who will not stand for re-election.

The other two candidates so far are former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and former Interior and Communications Minister Sanae Takaichi, who aspires to become the country’s first female prime minister and according to local media has Abe’s support.

The party primaries will take place on Sep. 29, followed by general elections that must be held before the end of November. In Japan, the leader of the most voted party is made head of government.

Kono, 58, has an outspoken and reformist image that has helped him gain ground in opinion polls as potential prime minister.

Skilled in the use of social media, his profile has gained popularity since he heads the management of the Covid-19 vaccination in the territory since February.

Having graduated from Georgetown University in the United States, he was born into a family of politicians. His father, Yohei Kono, was Chief Cabinet Secretary, Foreign Minister and Speaker of the Lower House. EFE

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