Former Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Koichi Kato, who resigned from the Diet in April 2002 over financial scandals, said Saturday he will run in the next House of Representatives election.
"If I can be forgiven, I want to engage in politics again," Kato, 63, said at a New Year's party for supporters in his home constituency of Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture.
Kato apologized for the scandals saying, "Last year was the most bitter in my life. I have no words to express my remorse for betraying your trust and confidence.