The former head of Japan’s largest opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, Edano Yukio, says he will run in next month’s party presidential election.
Edano made the announcement on Wednesday. He is the first CDP member to have expressed his intention to run in the race.
Edano told reporters that it is time to put an end to old politics, which led to the country’s 30-year economic slump, and move forward to a new era.
Edano said Japan’s historically weak currency and high consumer prices are dealing a serious blow to people’s lives. He said amid the economic confusion, the country has been unable to respond to historical changes due to growing distrust in politics.
He said at a time of population decline, Japan is facing the task of putting the economy back on its feet following “Abenomics,” — the economic policy pursued by the late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo. He also said that the task should be tackled beyond the framework of the ruling or opposition camps.