Takaichi Launches New LDP Leadership Team

Tokyo, Oct. 7 (Jiji Press)–Sanae Takaichi, new president of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, launched the LDP’s new leadership team Tuesday. Takaichi named former Prime Minister Taro Aso, 85, as LDP vice president, and General Council Chairman Shunichi Suzuki, 72, as secretary-general. Haruko Arimura, 55, former minister in charge of measures to boost the birthrate, was appointed General Council chair. Former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, 50, who ran against Takaichi in Saturday’s LDP presidential election, was given the post of chairman of the Policy Research Council. Former National Public Safety Commission Chairman Keiji Furuya, 72, who headed the group of LDP lawmakers backing Takaichi in the election, was appointed chairman of the LDP’s Election Strategy Committee. At a meeting of the LDP’s General Council, Takaichi, who was elected LDP president in Saturday’s leadership poll, said, “I will work diligently with the desire to transform anxieties about current living conditions and the future into hope and dreams.” Aso said, “I want to strive for party unity and the revival of the LDP.” Former Policy Research Council Chairman Koichi Hagiuda, 62, was tapped as executive acting secretary-general. He was a member of the now-defunct LDP faction once led by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which was embroiled in a high-profile slush funds scandal. Hagiuda failed to record 27.28 million yen in political funds reports for the five years through 2022. Former industry minister Hiroshi Kajiyama, 69, was appointed to head the Diet Affairs Committee. Given that the LDP-led ruling bloc is a minority force in both chambers of the Diet, the country’s parliament, Suzuki said at a press conference, “While listening to the opinions of opposition parties, we will maintain political stability and work to resolve issues.” Noting that the LDP has already punished Hagiuda over the slush funds scandal, Suzuki said that “it is important to regain trust by following the rules.” At the General Council meeting, the LDP decided to appoint former internal affairs minister Yoshitaka Shindo, 67, as head of the Party Organization and Campaign Headquarters. Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs Takako Suzuki, 39, was chosen to head the LDP’s Public Relations Headquarters. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]