Japan prime minister hopeful Kono says govts should not intervene in deals

Japan LDP debate organised by younger and female members

FILE PHOTO: Candidate for the presidential election of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Taro Kono, the cabinet minister in charge of vaccinations, speaks at a debate organized by the Liberal Democratic Party, Youth Bureau, Women's Bureau at the party headquarters, in Tokyo, Japan, September 20, 2021. Philip Fong/Pool via REUTERS/Taro Kono

Source: X80003

Taro Kono, an executive of Japan's ruling party, said on Thursday that government decisions should not be distorted by efforts to win votes from labour unions, when asked about reports that U.S. President Joe Biden will block Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel.

Governments should not intervene in individual deals as buyouts can benefit targeted companies and regions, Kono said in a press conference where he laid out policy pledges for the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership race that he hopes to win.

The Liberal Democratic Party's parliamentary control means its leader becomes the prime minister of Japan.

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

By Reuters