Takaichi to Pick Aso Faction’s Suzuki as LDP Secretary-General

Tokyo, Oct. 5 (Jiji Press)–Sanae Takaichi, who was elected president of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Saturday, has decided to appoint Shunichi Suzuki, the current chairman of the LDP’s General Council, as party secretary-general, informed sources said Sunday. Takaichi is also considering reappointing party supreme adviser and former Prime Minister Taro Aso, who backed Takaichi in the party leadership election, as the party’s vice president, according the sources. As Takaichi is likely to be named prime minister in the upcoming extraordinary Diet session, she is looking to appoint former Defense Minister Minoru Kihara as chief cabinet secretary, they also said. Suzuki, 72, a former finance minister, belongs to the only remaining intraparty faction, led by Aso.At a press conference following her election, Takaichi said that it would be best for the post of party secretary-general to be held by “someone who can engage with all parties and has a broad view of the party.” Takaichi is also expected to offer key government or party posts to her four rivals in the latest leadership race. The extraordinary session is expected to begin on Oct. 15, with a vote to choose the next prime minister likely to be held on the first day. Prior to the session, Takaichi is expected to finalize party executive appointments as early as Tuesday, while holding talks with opposition parties on expanding the ruling bloc. The current LDP-Komeito coalition lost majorities in both chambers of the Diet under outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Some in the ruling bloc predict that Takaichi will mainly consider the Democratic Party for the People as a possible new coalition partner. The DPFP has connections with Aso, and Komeito has conveyed to Takaichi its reluctance to hold coalition talks with Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party). In a television program on Sunday, DPFP acting leader Motohisa Furukawa mentioned raising the taxable income threshold and abolishing the gasoline tax surcharge as conditions for the party to engage in coalition talks. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]