Group Backing PM Takaichi Launched within LDP

Tokyo, May 21 (Jiji Press)–A study group supporting Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s policies has been launched within her ruling Liberal Democratic Party, attracting most of the party’s lawmakers. The group was founded by LDP Vice President Taro Aso, Executive Acting Secretary-General Koichi Hagiuda and other party executives, as well as those who competed with Takaichi in last year’s party presidential election. On Thursday, the group’s first meeting was attended by 347 LDP lawmakers, or over 80 pct of the party’s total. “We will work together with the government to tackle issues that the Takaichi administration must face,” Hagiuda said at the meeting, referring to revising the Constitution and ensuring a stable succession of the Imperial Family. He expressed hope that the group “will serve as a nodal point for us to unite and move forward.” Among Takaichi’s rivals in the last party leadership race, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Takayuki Kobayashi, head of the LDP’s Policy Research Council, were listed as founders of the group. Internal affairs minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, also became a member of the group. Aso was named the group’s supreme adviser, and former Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato was selected as chairman. Takaichi herself did not attend Thursday’s meeting. The study group is nicknamed “JiB,” short for “Japan is Back,” Takaichi’s slogan during the party ledership election. During the meeting, U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass gave a speech saying that the United States will stand together with Japan and will oppose any attempts to create discord in the region. The group was originally meant to solidify support for Takaichi among the LDP’s mainstream members, including those from Aso’s faction and a now-defunct faction once led by the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in the run-up to the next party leadership election, scheduled for next year. However, the group’s original objective has become unclear as a result of rectuiting members from all corners of the party, including those distancing themselves from Takaichi, such as Hayashi, former internal affairs minister Ryota Takeda and Junichi Ishii, secretary-general of the LDP in the House of Councillors. A source close to Takeda said, “There’s a risk of being put at a disadvantage over personnel appointments if you do not join the group.” According to a close aide of Takaichi, when Aso learned of Hayashi’s participation, he said, “That can’t be helped.” “Not joining the group would stick out like a sore thumb,” said a former cabinet member. A mid-ranking party member said, “The number of participants has increased to a point where the group’s purpose has become unclear.” Only about 70 LDP members decided not to join the group, including former LDP Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama and former internal affairs minister Seiichiro Murakami. Speaking to reporters, Murakami questioned the launch of “a group like the Imperial Rule Assistance Association (from the era of World War II).” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]