Tokyo - Taro Aso, general secretary of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and former contender for the LDP helm, Tuesday expressed his intention to run for the party leadership in a bid to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.

"I have an idea of what I have to do, and I'd like to execute it," Aso said at a press conference Tuesday.

The 67-year-old hawkish politician was seen as a forerunner to succeed Fukuda when he was appointed as the premier's right-hand man last month in a Cabinet reshuffle.

Aso also unsuccessfully ran in the last LDP leadership contest in September 2007, which saw Fukuda elected.

The outspoken politician is popular among LDP supporters and especially young Japanese because of his casual speech and love of Japanese pop culture including manga comics.

The LDP will choose its next president through an election or endorsement at a party convention. The LDP leader will automatically become prime minister given that the LDP and its coalition partner, the New Komeito party, hold an overwhelming majority in the powerful House of Representatives.

Fukuda announced his resignation on Monday, after less than one year in office, frustrated by low poll ratings and the opposition controlling the upper house. (dpa)