TOKYO -- Japan's social media-savvy vaccination minister, Taro Kono, believes the time is ripe for him to make a run for the nation's top political job.
The 58-year-old on Friday threw his hat into the ring for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election, aiming to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. The third lawmaker to join the race, Kono is already considered the front-runner.
Known as a maverick, Kono has a reputation for cracking difficult problems. Suga appointed him minister in charge of administrative reform for this attribute. He has also been overseeing Japan's vaccination campaign since January.
A graduate of Georgetown University, Kono speaks fluent English, a skill that became handy in negotiating vaccine purchases with Pfizer. By talking to American executives late into the night, Kono managed to secure faster shipments to Japan from the pharmaceutical company.
His Japanese-language Twitter account boasts 2.3 million followers. Kono's occasional bantering with ordinary users has helped fuel his popularity. He has also appeared on YouTube to encourage younger audiences to get the vaccine.
The third generation of a prominent political dynasty, Kono has an impeccable pedigree.
His father, Yohei, once served as LDP president and lower house speaker, while his grandfather Ichiro rose to deputy prime minister.
While at Georgetown, he volunteered for California Sen. Alan Cranston's presidential campaign, managing finances, and also...
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