Former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi sought to soften her more right-leaning image and appeal to broader swaths of the public besides her long-time conservative supporters as she pitched her candidacy to become president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
In a news conference Friday, Takaichi outlined her plan to address what she called the ¡°crisis¡± Japan finds itself in, underscoring her commitment to boost the country¡¯s strength.
Yet, when asked about a clear defense spending target or a potential visit to Yasukuni Shrine, a place seen as a symbol of Japan¡¯s militarism by neighboring countries, she avoided giving a clear answer.
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