Takaichi’s ouster could make it harder for Ishiba to manage a embattled ruling party hit by scandals that have eroded public support (Image: Reuters)
Japan’s incoming prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, will seal key party positions on Monday followed by a new Cabinet on Tuesday as he tries to unify his party after a close LDP leadership race and ahead of a general election.
Among Ishiba’s key players so far are two nominees in the leadership race, Katsunobu Kato as finance minister and Yoshimasa Hayashi to continue as chief cabinet secretary, a key post that includes the role of chief government spokesman, sources previously told Reuters.
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Japanese stocks fell more than 4 percent on Monday as the yen strengthened in response to the leadership victory of Ishiba, who is seen as a monetary policy hawk.
Ishiba’s close ally, Takeshi Iwaya, former defense chief, will take over as foreign minister, while Gen Nakatani will return to defense minister, a position he held in 2016, a source familiar with the appointment said, confirming earlier media reports.
However, absent from the list of nominees so far reported in local media is Sanae Takaichi, a hardliner who he beat with 215 votes out of 194 on Friday in the closest leadership election in nearly seven decades.
Takaichi’s exclusion could make it difficult for Ishiba to manage a tumultuous ruling party that has been hit by scandals that have eroded public support.
In a televised interview on Sunday, Ishiba did not mention his cabinet appointment, but suggested he may call a general election in early October. The vote must be held within the next 13 months.
Another contender, Shinjiro Koizumi, who has called for an early election, will head his election campaign, according to local media reports. Former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who supports Koizumi, will become his party’s vice president, the sources said.
(Only the headline and image for this report may have been reused by Business Standard staff; other content is automatically generated from the trade feed.)
First published: Sep 30 2024 | 8:28 AM IST