Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe speaks during a news conference in Hiroshima, western Japan September 1, 2006. Abe formally entered the race on Friday to be Japan's next prime minister. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    TOKYO, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe formally declared in Hiroshima on Friday his candidacy in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential election slated for later September.

    The 51-year-old conservative made public his policy platform with his announcement of candidacy in a party convention in Hiroshima, calling for revising Japan's pacifist Constitution and mending ties with Asian neighbors, Kyodo News reported.

    He will compete with Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki and Foreign Minister Taro Aso on Sept. 20 in the presidential election, the winner of which will naturally succeed Junichiro Koizumi as Japan's next prime minister because the ruling bloc, made up of the LDP and its coalition partner New Komeito party, holds a majority in the lower house, which controls the final say in selecting the premier.

    Abe put replacing the current U.S.-drafted Constitution with Japan's own on top of his policy platform, while also calls for strengthening of the premier's decision-making powers on defense and foreign affairs.

    While accentuating on a stronger Japan-U.S. alliance and describing it as "the most important thing" for Japan's diplomacy and national security, Abe pledged to try to improve relations with Asian neighbors as well.

    He also included seeking permanent membership of the UN Security Council, drastically reforming the education system and building sustainable social security system on the gist of his policy platform.

    Abe is a grandson of post-war Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi and son of the late Foreign Minister Shintaro Abe.

    Results of recent public opinion polls showed that Abe comfortably led the other two candidate for the presidency in popularity among voters. He also enjoys solid support inside the ruling party.

    If selected, Abe will become Japan's first prime minister born after World War II. Enditem