Japan's new ruling party leader Shigeru Ishiba selected seasoned lawmakers for its executive posts on Monday, following a hotly contested presidential election.
Ishiba said Monday that a general election will be held on Oct 27.
Ishiba made the announcement as head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, a day before he is set to be nominated as prime minister in an extraordinary Diet session. Both houses of parliament are controlled by the LDP and its junior coalition partner, Komeito.
An election must be held before the current term of the House of Representatives ends in October 2025.
Ishiba has said "the sooner, the better" for holding an election to seek a public mandate after becoming prime minister and forming a cabinet.
In a symbolic move, Ishiba, who faces the challenge of expanding support among his fellow Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers, appointed two influential former prime ministers -- Taro Aso as adviser and Yoshihide Suga as vice president.
Hiroshi Moriyama, the former head of the LDP's decision-making General Council and longest-serving Diet affairs chief, took the post of secretary general, the party's No. 2 position. Former Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera will serve as policy chief.
Moriyama supported Ishiba, who is set to be elected Japan's next prime minister in parliament on Tuesday, in the presidential election on Friday. Moriyama is known for his experience as a coordinator within the LDP and his wide network of contacts.
Long-time supporter Onodera is a defense policy expert like Ishiba.
In the run-up to the election, Ishiba asked Shinjiro Koizumi, who competed in the presidential election, to serve as election strategy chief, relying on his popularity among the general public.
In the leadership race, Aso, who leads the only remaining intraparty faction, is believed to have supported economic security minister Sanae Takaichi in the runoff.
Suga still wields significant influence over LDP members. He served as prime minister from 2020 to 2021, preceding incumbent Fumio Kishida. Suga was the top government spokesman under the country's longest-serving Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The new executive lineup reflects Ishiba's attempt to unite the LDP after a record nine candidates ran for president, splitting the party into multiple groups.
Takaichi rejected Ishiba's request to serve as head of the General Council while another contender, Takayuki Kobayashi, a former economic security minister, turned down an offer to take the post of PR chief, boding ill for the leader's efforts to unite the party.
Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki, a member of Aso's group, took the post of head of the LDP's General Council.
© KYODO
17 Comments
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Brian Trout
It hard to view Ishiba as the leader of the LDP or the nation after reading this article.
Aso and Suga appear to be the kingpins calling the shots behind the curtain.
SDCA
Looks like Aso is taking full advantage of this situation and laughing at other groups that are still bickering about the election.
Mr Goodman
No surprise Suga returns
Daniel Neagari
@Brian Trout
The reason Ishiba did not got elected in the past is in fact becasue he did not had much support within the LDP.
This time he got elected, but that does not mean he has all the power. Aso and Suga are the two main figures in the LDP so having them in the inner circle will asure Ishiba to have suppot for the majority of the party. I think this assigment of post is a good move, but from here on depends on how keen Ishiba is to consolidate that power.
I belive Ishiba is smart and kunning enough to consolidate his power withing LDP, and I doubt he let someone else to control the party from behind the curtains... I could be worng though, but I believe he is capable enough.
Bobby Franks
I agree with Brian.
Ishiba is not dishing out assignments. He’s a puppet following orders from Aso and Suga.
David Brent
Here’s what you can expect:
….everything to continue as it has been for the past five decades in Japan.
Aoi Azuuri
After all, new LDP leader is picking accomplices of Abe politics that had ruined domestic democracy and had deteriorated society.
One opposition party leader pointed "even if dancer changed, choreographers are same" about LDP leader election.
Present ruling party cannot change themselves anymore.
dagon
In a just society Suga would be in jail for his criminal negligence for the handling of the COVID 19 pandemic in Japan.
Telling the populace to practice 'self-reliance' while going forward with a spectator-less Olympics with him dozing off in the box seats.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/05/31/national/social-issues/coronavirus-homeless-help/
As other nations gave regular stimulus monies to unemployed workers, the LDP was just paying businesses to close a couple of hours earlier and not serve alcohol.
I suspect Ishiba is cut from the same cloth.
Yubaru
Actually you got the PM name wrong about "criminal negligence" is was, and always be Abe's fault.
Two words to remember: Abe-nomask! Suga got stuck with cleaning up Abe's messes!
dagon
I would actually agree with you on that point but Suga was complicit.
wallace
Election Oct 27.
Daniel Neagari
@wallace
I trust you know that election in Japan does not elect the prime minister.
I think you know... just to be sure
Lindsay
The crony club of untouchables.
wallace
Daniel Neagari
General Election. All hands to the deck.
Daniel Neagari
There is so many confused or lacking information people around that i had to ask.
My apologies if my question made you feel unconfortable.
SapperJon
Does the Japanese electorate not trust younger politicians? Surely a 79-year-old has passed his prime and become stuck in the past. Japan could try having some 40-50 year olds in government, hopefully, they would have had experience in other businesses other than being lifelong politician's all being in the same frame of mind and the same club.
kurisupisu
On more than one occasion PM Ishiba has extolled the people to ‘follow the rules’
Well, Yoshihide Suga has been a prime example of one who has not followed ‘the rules’
Does Ishiba believe the lie or the truth?