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Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Aso said yesterday in his policy plans that he would seek to improve ties with China if elected as prime minister in September.

 

Aso formally announced his bid to run for presidency of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to succeed Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi earlier in the day.

 

Japan should seek stability in relations with Asian countries while upholding its alliance with the US as a cornerstone in diplomacy, Aso told a press conference in stating his policy plans. Aso said that sound ties with China were necessary and that he would endeavor to improve them if elected.

 

Following Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki, Aso is the second candidate to join the September election, which will practically determine who will be Japan's next prime minister since the LDP is dominant in the powerful House of Representatives.

 

The 65-year-old minister also proposed that the starting age for compulsory education be advanced by one to two years.

 

Koizumi is expected to step down as prime minister in September when his tenure as LDP president expires. Among competitors for the post, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shizo Abe enjoys a higher support rate than others. Abe is slated to formally announce his bid early next month.

 

It is Aso's second time to run for the premiership. He was beaten by Koizumi in the 2001 LDP presidential race when he was economic and fiscal policy minister.

 

Aso is a grandson of the late Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida and also a son-in-law of former Prime Minister Zenko Suzuki. Aso was president of his family firm, Aso Cement Co, in 1973. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1979 and was LDP's policy chief from April 2001 to September 2003.

 

A legislator planning to run in the LDP presidential election must obtain endorsement from 20 LDP lawmakers. The election board will accept candidates on September 8 and vote will be held on September 20.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 22, 2006)