The Liberal Democratic Party's presidential race moved up a gear Tuesday when Shizuka Kamei, the party's policy chief, announced he would run, vowing major tax cuts to sustain the nation's fragile economy.
With Kamei staking his claim, the April 24 election looks to be at least a three-way affair.
On Monday, Junichiro Koizumi, the flamboyant former health minister, announced that he will stand in the election, while former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, who controls the largest faction in the LDP, is also expected to run. The two senior lawmakers are currently viewed as the leading candidates.