Kono has all the chances to become the prime minister after Yoshihide Suga leaves the post and if he becomes the LDP head.
"As for the resolution of the territorial issue around the Northern Territories [Kuril Islands] as well as the conclusion of a peace treaty with Russia, I consider work in this direction extremely important," Kono told a press conference, broadcast by the NHK TV channel.
The election of the head of the LDP is scheduled for 29 September. After that, the candidate must be voted on in the House of Representatives. This is expected to happen on 4 October.