Tokyo, Sept. 18 -- Japan's former Internal Affairs Minister Sanae Takaichi has officially announced her bid for the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Thursday, completing the list of major candidates seeking to replace outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Kyodo News reported.

Takaichi also held the position of Japan's Minister of State for Economic Security.

According to Kyodo News, Takaichi, a staunch conservative and close ideological ally of the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, shared her intentions during a meeting with former Prime Minister and party heavyweight Taro Aso. At 64, she is aiming to become Japan's first female prime minister.

Seen as one of the leading contenders in the October 4 le...