Japan’s Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, a reform proponent, says he will run in the ruling party leadership race as the Liberal Democratic Party looks for a successor capable of turning around its prospects and leading the nation.
“It’s true that I told my supporters of my intentions,” Koizumi told reporters at his regular press conference on Tuesday, referring to a meeting at the weekend at which he informed local party supporters of his plans to enter the leadership election. “I will put together my campaign step by step as I head toward a formal declaration.”