LDP Bigwig Aso Haunts PM Takaichi’s Personnel Plan

Tokyo, Aug. 16 (Jiji Press)–As Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is believed to be considering reshuffling her cabinet and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s executive lineup in September, a focal point is how she will treat those close to LDP Vice President Taro Aso. Aso, a former prime minister who heads the only remaining faction within the LDP, could influence the outcome of next year’s LDP leadership election, in which Takaichi is expected to seek re-election to remain in the prime minister’s office. On July 28, Takaichi explained to the party about her plan to lower the consumption tax rate on food to 1 pct for two years from next April. In response, Aso said that he opposed the tax cut but would follow the prime minister’s lead once she made a decision, according to informed sources. In the party leadership election last October, Aso was behind Takaichi’s victory, leading his intraparty faction to support her. Takaichi then granted the faction three key party posts–vice president, secretary-general and chair of the General Council. Since Takaichi took power, Aso has been viewed as her main backer in the party. However, observers say that their relationship is beginning to change. Aso, who has also served as finance minister, is a long-standing proponent of maintaining the consumption tax. Moreover, his opposition to Takaichi’s tax cut plan reflected his eagerness to bring the Democratic Party for the People into the LDP-led ruling coalition. According to informed sources, Aso was told by DPFP leader Yuichiro Tamaki that the party could not accept the tax cut plan, and that whether it would join the ruling coalition hinged on the matter. Therefore, Aso repeatedly urged Takaichi to properly consider the DPFP’s position. Nevertheless, Takaichi, who is said to distrust Tamaki, did not concede on the matter. After this development, an LDP source said, “Aso may be beginning to turn his heart away from the prime minister.” The DPFP’s Tamaki also strongly opposes a bill to reduce the number of seats in the House of Representatives, which the Japan Innovation Party, the LDP’s junior coalition partner, positions as a centerpiece of reform ahead of of an extraordinary Diet session this autumn. Over this issue, tensions may flare again between Takaichi, who emphasizes her party’s partnership with the JIP, and Aso, who seeks a coalition with the DPFP. Takaichi is expected to conduct a cabinet and party leadership reshuffle prior to the autumn session. The main focus is likely to be whether she will replace LDP Secretary-General Shunichi Suzuki, a member of the Aso faction and his brother-in-law As there is said to be a rift between Takaichi and Suzuki, some speculate that the prime minister really wants to replace him with Koichi Hagiuda, the current LDP executive acting secretary-general, who is close to her. Meanwhile, Aso may demand the post of finance minister for his faction, aiming to dispel fiscal concerns stemming from the tax cut plan, according to a source in his faction. Currently, the faction holds one cabinet post. Any trouble with Aso, who leads the 60-member faction, could further weaken Takaichi’s footing in the party. “We can’t turn Aso into an enemy,” said an aide to Takaichi. “I would oppose if the prime minister tries to implement a problematic personnel plan.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]