Ousted but popular former Nagano Gov. Yasuo Tanaka on Monday pledged to create jobs in local industries while continuing to reform public works spending.
He made the comments at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo ahead of the gubernatorial election in Nagano Prefecture in September.
Under the slogan, "From Destruction to Creation," Tanaka said he will focus on sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and tourism, while stressing the importance of social welfare, education, and the environment.