I am announcing my candidacy for the LDP Leadership Election 2024.

This is Kono Taro. I am running for the leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party.

The Kishida administration left a significant mark on both domestic and foreign affairs over the course of 1,000 days.

I intend to take on the role of leader to steer Japan forward, and with your support, I am determined to advance our country.

In past Liberal Democratic Party leadership elections, I believe we could focus on discussing the shape of Japan.

However, for the first time, I think this leadership election must also involve discussions on the shape of the world.

After the Cold War ended, we thought we could enjoy the fruits of peace with the U.S. and Soviet Union's dominance removed, but it turned out not to be so simple.

Dictatorial regimes emerged in China and Russia, an invasion is currently happening in Ukraine, and in Asia, there are ongoing attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas.

There is also talk of an invasion of Taiwan. And in the Middle East, there may be a major conflict. We are facing a geopolitical crisis.

Economically and politically, countries in what is called the Global South are now growing significantly.

As the world situation changes, ideally, the United States, as the leader of the Western group, would discuss the shape of the world in its presidential election and lead the world forward.

That might have been the case in the past. However, unfortunately, we don't hear much discussion about the shape of the world in the current presidential election.

In this context, Japan, together with G7 countries, Europe, South Korea, Australia, and other nations that share common values of freedom and democracy, must discuss what shape this world should take.

And within that discussion, Japan must clearly assert and act upon its responsibilities and roles.

In this sense, I believe this leadership election, which will select the next Prime Minister of the Liberal Democratic Party, must be one where we thoroughly discuss the shape of the world.

Domestically, 120 million citizens of Japan are now facing and fighting their own emergencies.

After a prolonged deflation and stagnant wages, Japanese society has become fragmented, and the problems of isolation and loneliness have grown within it.

We must solve these problems and work to remove the future anxieties in the lives of each and every individual.

For that, we need to change the way we've been doing things.

Reform is easy to talk about. But what matters is whether we have the strong will to push through reforms, even if it means getting battered and bruised. And whether we have a track record of carrying out necessary reforms.

These are the questions that will be asked.

In the past, I have worked on eliminating the use of stamps, COVID-19 vaccines, ride-sharing, the My Number card, overtime pay in Kasumigaseki, and other issues. There was criticism, but I persevered.

Some asked what we would do with the stamp industry, or pointed out shortages in vaccines, or questioned the use of the My Number card, or asked about the impact on the taxi industry with ride-sharing. There were many criticisms, but I have managed to move things forward.

Looking back, people may say it was good that we implemented those reforms. Or by then, it may have become something entirely taken for granted.

Rather than just talking about reform, the track record of actually building up reforms will be questioned in this leadership election.

For the sake of Japan, for the sake of Japan's future, we must proceed with the necessary reforms now, and rebuild the strong Japanese middle class that was once our country's strength.

Our fiscal situation is also in a state of emergency. With the COVID-19 pandemic behind us, it is time to restore fiscal discipline.

As interest rates gradually rise over time, we need to start discussions on how to handle the fiscal balance. We have reached that stage.

We need to thoroughly review each budget item, and decisively cut those that are not effective. This is what must be done.

There is a debate about whether to prioritize the economy or fiscal policy, but I believe that's the wrong question. We must develop the economy, but at the same time, build strong fiscal foundations.

Building the economy at the expense of fiscal discipline will not lead to sustainable growth. We must restore fiscal discipline without using the economy as an excuse.

If we look back, before COVID-19 there was the Lehman shock, and before that, the Asian financial crisis.

In emergencies that happen once every ten years, the government must step forward to support the lives of its citizens. But in times of peace, we must maintain the fiscal capacity to do so.

Restoring trust in politics is also an urgent task. The recent issue with unreported funds, despite having clear rules, shows that we failed to follow those rules.

Although the investigation may have been concluded with document corrections, from the public's perspective, can we say that accountability has been achieved?

I have consistently stated that we need to take responsibility and move forward. I intend to take responsibility for the unreported amount by returning it and move forward.

Moreover, Japan's political funds are tax-exempt, but this comes with the obligation to report properly.

For tax-exempt funds, we must attach receipts, report accurately, and allow public scrutiny.

Through digitizing political fund reports and ensuring matching transparency, I aim to restore public trust through political reform.

Only with trust in politics can the Liberal Democratic Party carry out the policies it must pursue, with the understanding of the people.

I believe that the foundation of this is the restoration of trust in politics.

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総裁選挙に出馬します