Former Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Shintaro Ishihara is determined to run in the April 11 Tokyo gubernatorial election and is expected to announce his candidacy today, political sources said Tuesday.
Ishihara is considered another prominent choice among conservative voters. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party is supporting Yasushi Akashi, 68, a former United Nations undersecretary general, while former Foreign Minister Koji Kakizawa, 65, and noted political scientist Yoichi Masuzoe, 50, have also entered the race.
Others planning to join include education critic Mitsuru Mikami, 66, and Kunio Hatoyama, 50, former vice president of the Democratic Party of Japan.