Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori will run for a seat in Japan's Upper House elections, he said yesterday, in a decision which could have implications for his extradition case in Chile.

Fujimori, who ruled Peru from 1990-2000, is under house arrest in the Chilean capital Santiago awaiting a court ruling in the extradition case.

Peru wants him sent to Lima to stand trial for alleged embezzlement and human rights abuses dating from his rule.

In an interview at his residence in Santiago, 68-year-old Fujimori said he had accepted the invitation from the tiny Japanese opposition People's New Party to stand in the July 29 poll.

Fujimori, who is of Japanese descent and spent five years in Japan from 2000-05, said he had taken his decision after deep analysis and reflection, and that it had nothing to do with extradition proceedings against him.

"Naturally this is a decision that has been well thought-out and meditated upon," he said.

In an earlier interview with Japan's Nippon Television Network, Fujimori said he wanted to "use my 10 years' experience as president for Japan and the world".

"I want to resolve Asia diplomacy issues, in particular North Korea and the abduction problem," he added. "That is my hope. I think I can do it."

It was not immediately clear what the implications would be for the extradition case if Fujimori were to win office.

A Peruvian state official said last week the election move was a ploy to avoid extradition and a sign the former president was desperate.

Fujimori denied there was a connection between his candidacy and the extradition process.

"I shall continue (fighting) the extradition process until the end, with a well-sustained defense, because I did a good job over the 10 years (of government) and I have the results to prove it," he said.

Fujimori went into exile in Japan in 2000 when his government collapsed under the weight of a huge corruption scandal. His parents were born in Japan and he has dual Peruvian-Japanese citizenship.

He was arrested in Chile in November 2005 and has been at the center of a protracted legal process since then.

(China Daily via agencies June 29, 2007)