Sanae Takaichi (Mainichi/Kota Yoshida)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Former communications minister Sanae Takaichi on Wednesday formally announced her bid to become Japan's first female prime minister, saying she will run in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's leadership race.

       The Sept. 29 race to succeed Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is now shaping up to be a three-way contest between Takaichi, former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and vaccine czar Taro Kono.

       Takaichi said she will focus on monetary easing, fiscal spending during emergencies and investing in crisis management, including defense capabilities and disaster response.

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