Former Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka will run in a general election expected to be held in November, her aides said Thursday.
Tanaka, one of the few politicians who can rival Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in popularity, is set to convey her decision to an executive meeting of supporters Sunday, the aides said.
Tanaka resigned from the House of Representatives in August 2002 following allegations that she misused the state-paid salaries of her secretaries. Prosecutors said Tuesday that she had not misappropriated the money and decided not to pursue a criminal case against her.