Former Japan PM Noda announces leadership bid

Aug 29 (NHK) - Former Japanese Prime Minister Noda Yoshihiko says he plans to run for president of the largest opposition Constitutional Democratic Party.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Noda said, "I aim to become prime minister once again. I would like to express my determination here."

He pledges to restore the middle class, something he says he was not able to achieve when he was prime minister.

He said, "Through the Abe administration, the Suga administration and the current Kishida administration, the gap has been widening. I would like to work on economic and fiscal policies that address the fact that many people are falling out of the middle class."

Noda is the second person to officially announce their candidacy after the party's former president, Edano Yukio.

Noda used to lead the now defunct Democratic Party of Japan and served as prime minister in 2011 and 2012.

The CDP's presidential campaign period is set to begin September 7 followed by the election on the 23.

And the main governing Liberal Democratic Party plans to hold its presidential election a few days later.

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