Popular TV personality Junichi Ishida on Friday expressed his intention to run for Tokyo governor ¡ª provided he receives the backing of opposition parties.

In the latest in a string of names being floated as possible candidates to be jointly put forward by an opposition bloc, including the Democratic Party and the Japanese Communist Party, Ishida told a packed a news conference that he wouldn¡¯t go out of his way to seek endorsement from the opposition and would happily drop his candidacy if anyone else is deemed better suited.

¡°What I¡¯m saying is that there has to be a unified candidate backed by the opposition. If anyone else is chosen, I¡¯ll be happy to support that person,¡± Ishida said, adding he has not yet been approached by any political party.