Japan’s Koizumi Enters LDP Race, Vows to Hold Snap Election
- Ex-environment minister among most popular candidates
- Says he’ll order an economic package, reform labor market
Japan’s former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi formally announced his bid to become the nation’s next prime minister Friday, saying he will call a general election if selected and speed up decision making, while also considering a meeting with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.
“I want to make major reforms within a year,” Koizumi said at a press conference Friday as he looks to follow in his father’s footsteps to become prime minister. “It’s time to question why Japan’s decline isn’t stopping.”