Japan Leadership Race Picks Up With Kono Declaring Candidacy

A political maverick now serving as Japan’s minister for digital transformation became the third lawmaker to enter the race for the next prime minister, calling for fiscal restraint and highlighting his experience in various cabinet roles.

Kono Taro, who has also served as foreign minister and defense minister, made the announcement Monday. He joins Shigeru Ishiba, another former defense minister, and Takayuki Kobayashi, a former minister for economic security, as officially declaring their candidacy to lead the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

More announcements are expected this week in what is set to be one of the largest fields ...