Taro Kono

Taro Kono (河野 太郎, Kōno Tarō, born 10 January 1963) is a Japanese politician serving as the Minister for Digital Transformation since August 2022. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he previously served as Minister for Administrative Reform and Regulatory Reform from 2015 to 2016 and from 2020 to 2021, and was the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defense under Prime Minister Shinzō Abe. He is also a member of the House of Representatives representing Kanagawa's 15th district since 1996. Kono has developed a reputation as a political maverick, with a tendency to hold positions on issues contrary to his party. He is also known for his large following on social media and his fluency in English.

Kono Taro pictured in 2010.

Quotes

• It's good to be back in Washington D.C. Last time I was here I was Foreign Minister. This time I came back as Defense Minister. Maybe next year as a Prime Minister.
  • Speaking at The 26th Annual U.S.-Japan Security Seminar hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies on 14 January, 2020. The 26th Annual U.S.-Japan Security Seminar: The U.S.-Japan Alliance at 60
• When I was foreign minister, I was very careful not to say that China is a threat although I repeatedly said ‘grave concern’ at news conferences. But as defense minister, I must say China has become a security threat to Japan.
  • September 9, 2020 China not a ‘concern’ for Japan. It is now a ‘security threat’ - The Asahi Shimbun