TOKYO – Sanae Takaichi, new leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, on Tuesday appointed former Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki as its secretary general, the party’s No. 2 position, and former Prime Minister Taro Aso as its vice president.
Takaichi, set to become Japan’s first female prime minister, unveiled the LDP’s new executive lineup, including former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, who was among the candidates in Saturday’s party presidential contest, as its new policy council chief.
Haruko Arimura, former minister in charge of women’s empowerment, was picked to head the decision-making General Council while Keiji Furuya, who once led Japan’s National Public Safety Commission, was tapped as election strategy chief.
In what could be a controversial appointment, former industry minister Koichi Hagiuda, who was one of the LDP lawmakers implicated in a high-profile political slush funds scandal, takes up the post of executive acting secretary general to support Suzuki.
Takaichi, a 64-year-old former internal affairs minister who is known as a staunch conservative, is on course to be elected as Japan’s first female prime minister at an extraordinary parliamentary session later this month to replace Shigeru Ishiba, her predecessor as LDP chief.
The new party leadership will be tasked with pursuing policy consultations with opposition forces, as the LDP is currently running a minority coalition with its junior partner Komeito in both chambers of parliament.
BY: The Times Union
