Japan minister Kono joins race for premiership

Taro Kono, Japanese Cabinet minister in charge of vaccinations, announced his candidacy in the race to lead the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Friday.

The former defense and foreign minister put his name in the hat for the election to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. Whoever wins the Sept. 29 party vote is almost certain to be the next government leader.

Kono, 58, a graduate of Georgetown University and fluent in English, is a rarity in Japanese politics, which are dominated by elderly men. He has many fans among younger people, with whom he communicates via social media.

While Japan's initial vaccine rollout was late and slow, Kono takes credit for the vaccination rate picking up. He said that the vaccination rate is on par with the United States bringing Japan to "top class" within the G7 nations.

Suga's decision to not run in the race was important to give his party a fresh leader ahead of a general election that must be held by late November.

The new party leader almost certainly will become Japan's next prime minister because of the parliamentary majority held by the party and its coalition partner.

Kono said that while Japan may seem like its falling behind other countries, he hopes to push Japan forward.