Former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi announced Monday he will run in the Liberal Democratic Party¡¯s presidential election in September, becoming the first to officially throw his hat in the ring in what is set to be an especially crowded race.
At a packed news conference Monday afternoon, he signaled his candidacy could be a symbol of radical change in a party embattled by scandals.
¡°I make this promise to all party members and the people of Japan: to transform the party into something new, to create a society where people can feel dreams and hopes, and to build a country that can lead the world, with all of you, ¡± Kobayashi said, stressing his middle-class upbringing.
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