Tetsuzo Fuwa, chairman of the Japanese Communist Party's Central Committee, said Friday he will not run in the next general election of the House of Representatives, bringing an end to a Diet career that has spanned more than three decades.

Fuwa, 73, said he will remain at the helm of the Central Committee at least until the next general party convention, scheduled for November.

"The choice of the next committee chairman is up to the general convention," he said. "It's not something I should comment on."