Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato has officially declared his bid for the presidency in the upcoming Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) election. This marks Kato's first attempt at running for the leadership position, adding to the pool of eight contenders vying for the top post in the party.
Addressing a significant political funds scandal that affected various party factions, Kato emphasized the need for accountability and transparency within the party. He acknowledged the public's discontent with the handling of the scandal and committed to encouraging lawmakers involved to take responsibility by participating in the party's Political Ethics Hearing Committee.
In outlining his vision for governance, Kato introduced the "Nippon sokatsuyaku puran" plan, which aims to double incomes and alleviate financial burdens for families by reducing costs related to school lunches, child medical care, and childbirth expenses. Furthermore, he highlighted his commitment to supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises in rural areas to combat the declining population trend.
Despite holding notable positions as health minister and chief Cabinet secretary in previous administrations, Katsunobu Kato's popularity among the public remains relatively low, as indicated by a recent opinion poll by The Asahi Shimbun. Nevertheless, with a political history that includes multiple terms in the Lower House and a familial association with former farm minister Mutsuki Kato, Kato brings a mix of experience and ambition to his presidential candidacy in the LDP.