S/ Kono Taro, Minister for Digital Transformation: I am Kono Taro. I am running for president of the Liberal Democratic Party. It is easy to say reform. But what is important is that you have the will to push forward with reform even if you encounter hardships. And do you have a track record of carrying out the reforms that need to be done? I think that is the question. 

In a bid to restore the public's trust, Kono said he intends to request that ruling party legislators who failed to properly report their political fund income and expenditures return those unreported funds.

S/ Kono Taro, Minister for Digital Transformation: Regarding the recent non-disclosure issue, despite the existence of rules, those rules were not followed. From the public’s perspective, can we truly say this brings closure? I believe that by returning the unreported funds, we can move forward and provide a sense of resolution.  

Regarding economic policy, Kono said, “Building an economy at the expense of public finances, such economic growth is not sustainable. He stressed that “we should not use the economy as an excuse, but firmly restore fiscal discipline. 

Furthermore, he said that he would seek the public’s judgment through a general election. Kono also expressed his support for recognizing the selective married surname system. 

11 ruling party members are expected to join the LDP presidential election.