Sanae Takaichi, policy chief of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, announces the party's campaign platform in Tokyo on Oct. 12, 2021, ahead of the House of Representatives election on Oct. 31. (Kyodo)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party pledged Tuesday to bolster the middle class through "new capitalism" that focuses on economic growth and redistribution of wealth as it announced its campaign platform for a general election later this month.

       Among seven other areas of its policy focus is strengthening economic security, an issue new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is promoting amid intense competition over technology development between the United States and China.

       The campaign pledge for the Oct. 31 election also included enhancing measures against COVID-19 by facilitating vaccinations and providing financial aid to people hit hardest by the pandemic, including those without regular employment or raising children.

       The platform also said the LDP will push forward debate on amending Japan's postwar Constitution, including the war-renouncing Article 9 to include a reference to the Self-Defense Forces.

       The party will also protect Japan through diplomacy and enhanced defense capability by working with countries that share universal values such as democracy and promote the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, according to the election pledge.

       Kishida, who became prime minister on Oct. 4 after being chosen as an LDP leader, has said he will dissolve the House of Representatives on Thursday and call a general election at the end of the month.

       The latest campaign platform underscored Kishida's emphasis on being accountable to and building trust with the public, apparently reflecting criticism over his predecessor Yoshihide Suga's communication skills.

       Suga resigned after just over a year in office with his government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic eroding public support.

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