Newly elected Liberal Democratic Party President Shigeru Ishiba is considering keeping Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi in the post and appointing LDP General Council Chairperson Hiroshi Moriyama as the party’s secretary general. Ishiba is also considering naming former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi the chairperson of the LDP Election Strategy Committee, according to sources.
Ishiba, 67, on Saturday began making arrangements to appoint LDP executives and cabinet ministers, following his victory in the party’s presidential election the previous day. In the LDP leadership race, Koizumi, 43, finished third in the first round of voting. Amid speculation that the House of Representatives will be dissolved for a snap election during an extraordinary Diet session, many party members have high hopes that he will become the face of the LDP’s campaign. Hayashi, 63, has extensive political experience and is known for his stable political skills.
“It is only natural to ask them to assume a position that is most suitable for them,” Ishiba said regarding selecting LDP presidential candidates for government or party posts. He is apparently also considering tapping other candidates for such key posts.
Speaking on an NHK program on Friday night, Ishiba said he wants to consider appointments in a manner that allows each person to demonstrate their maximum abilities. The appointments of positions like LDP secretary general and chief cabinet secretary are crucial for stable administration management.
There has been speculation about when a lower house election would be held – either on Oct. 27 or Nov. 10 – with campaigning starting on Oct. 15 or Oct. 29 respectively. Many party members believe that carrying momentum from its leadership race into this lower house election would be advantageous for the LDP’s success.
Attention is also being paid to how Ishiba will unite the party after recent political funds scandal led to dissolution of factions within it; however he stated “I won’t consider how many people from which factions will be appointed.”
Ishiba plans to unveil his lineup of new party executives on Monday and expects nomination as prime minister at an extraordinary Diet session scheduled for Tuesday followed by launching a new cabinet later that same day.
