Prisoner Fujimori to run in Diet poll

Disgraced Peruvian ex-President Alberto Fujimori will run for Kokumin Shinto (People's New Party) in the House of Councilors election next month, even if it's from under house arrest in Chile.

"I would like to show my gratitude to Japan, the home of my parents, by making use of my experiences during my period as president" of Peru, Kokumin Shinto chief Shizuka Kamei quoted Fujimori as saying Wednesday from the house in Santiago where he is being held awaiting a decision on whether he is to be extradited to Peru to face charges of corruption and being party to extra-judicial killings.

"I will run as a proportional representational candidate for Kokumin Shinto to work for Asian diplomacy, on the North Korea problem and for the safety of the Japanese public."

Kamei said he wanted Fujimori, who was granted Japanese citizenship after he arrived in exile in Japan in 2000, to put "his knowledge, rich experience and reputation" to use in Japan.

"I strongly hope Mr. Fujimori, as the last samurai, will add vigor to today's Japanese society, which lacks courage, confidence and benevolence," Kamei said.

Fujimori, 68, is under house arrest in Chile awaiting a decision of whether to extradite him to Peru, which wants to try him on charges that include bribery, misuse of government funds and sanctioning death squad killings during his decade-long rule to 2000.

In Santiago, Fujimori said he was confident that being under house arrest will not dampen his political ambitions in either Japan or Peru.

"I am confident because I worked in a proper manner," the ex-president said. "There is no evidence of any guilt. I am innocent."

Fujimori said Kokumin Shinto "members are convinced that the style, the dynamics of my government in solving problems can be transferred to some specific problems in Japan."

"I still have my followers in Peru," he said. "And many of them are happy because a political party in such an important country as Japan has called on me to run. This is something very important for them."

Fujimori said that as a lawmaker in Japan, he could help with issues such as relations with North Korea, but made clear he still has political ambitions in Peru.

"I've decided to run for the (Diet) because I am convinced I may contribute to (addressing) serious problems we have in Japan," he said, adding that he accepted Kokumin Shinto's offer "because we do not have a presidential election in Peru soon."

Kamei said he did not see any problem with Fujimori running in the race. He did say the party is asking that Santiago let Fujimori return to Japan and will ask the Japanese government, and specifically the Foreign Ministry, to help ensure Fujimori can participate in electoral activities.

The Public Offices Election Law doesn't bar someone under house arrest overseas from running in an election in Japan, Internal Affairs Ministry official Tetsuya Kikuchi said.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki told reporters he had not confirmed Fujimori's plans and would not comment on Kokumin Shinto candidate choices. Tokyo will "watch closely" Chile's legal proceedings on extradition, he said.

Kokumin Shinto, a minor party with eight lawmakers, asked Fujimori earlier this year to run in the July 29 Upper House poll. He had been expected to give his answer at the end of this week.

In Peru, Congressman Juan Carlos Eguren of the opposition National Unity party accused Fujimori of trying to escape Chilean and Peruvian justice.

"The judicial process must continue and we think that the extradition process will end with a ruling forcing Fujimori to return to Peru," Eguren said.

For related stories:
Fujimori to decide soon on Upper House run
Fugitive Fujimori is asked to run for Diet