Japan's vaccination minister Taro Kono walked the line between his signature reform-minded policies and the conservatism of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Friday as he formally announced his bid to succeed Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
The 58-year-old Kono is the third lawmaker to declare candidacy in the LDP's leadership race on Sept. 29 after former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and former communications minister Sanae Takaichi.
At a press conference, Kono vowed to focus on fighting COVID-19 while "moving Japan forward," including by promoting the use of digital technology to enable more people to work remotely and revive regional economies.
"We have to overcome this crisis. I want to create a warm society where people can lean on each other," he said.
But Kono broke from his long-held stance of opposing the use of nuclear energy, saying it is "realistic" to bring reactors that have been confirmed safe back online to achieve Japan's goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. He also denied having any plans to build new reactors and stressed the need to promote renewable energy.
A reform-minded maverick within the conservative LDP, Kono has led public opinion polls as the preferred candidate to succeed Suga, who abruptly announced his resignation last week amid mounting criticism over his government's handling of the pandemic.
Some of Kono's views in the past have veered from the LDP's mainstream, including on nuclear energy as well as his past willingness to allow matrilineal imperials to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne in a break from tradition to secure a stable line of succession.
Because of this, some LDP veterans have been wary of elevating him to prime minister, while younger lawmakers and those holding more vulnerable seats are pushing for him to become the face of the party heading into a general election this fall.
Regarding imperial succession, Kono reiterated he will respect ongoing discussions by the government's advisory panel on the issue, which in June effectively ruled out female and matrilineal emperors.
"We need to move forward while gaining the understanding of the public," he said.
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture to a prominent political family -- his father is former House of Representatives speaker Yohei Kono -- Taro Kono graduated from Georgetown University in Washington and worked in the private sector including at Fuji Xerox before successfully running for the lower house in 1996.
Currently doubling as administrative reform minister, he has served in a number of other Cabinet posts such as foreign minister and defense minister.
This is Kono's second attempt at becoming LDP leader, having made a failed bid after the party was ousted from power in a humiliating defeat in the 2009 general election.
Asked at the press conference whether he would uphold a landmark 1993 statement by his father, then chief Cabinet secretary, recognizing the Japanese military's role in recruiting Korean "comfort women," forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels, Kono said he would "inherit the historical views passed on through the governments of the LDP."
Kono also said he would go ahead with plans to release treated radioactive water at the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean, saying he would seek to allay concerns from neighboring countries by presenting scientific evidence of the process's safety.
With campaigning for the LDP leadership race starting in one week, Kono said he told Suga of his bid when the two met in the morning before a Cabinet meeting.
The contest is shaping up to be a three-way contest between Kono, Kishida and Takaichi, with the winner set to become prime minister as the party controls the lower house.
Former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba could also throw his hat in the ring, though some lawmakers close to him see his chances of winning as slim and are pushing for him to back Kono instead.
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PROFILE: LDP chief candidate Kono known as outspoken, proactive lawmaker
3-way LDP race likely as Kishida makes pledges, Takaichi declares bid
Taro Kono tops opinion poll as most fit to become Japan's next PM
