Sanae Takaichi, who has just been elected president of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), held an extraordinary General Council meeting at party headquarters on the morning of the 7th, officially finalizing party senior posts, including appointing Aso faction member and General Council Chairman Shunichi Suzuki (aged 72) as Secretary-General.
In personnel arrangements, Sanae Takaichi has clearly promoted members of the Aso and former Motegi factions who supported her victory in the LDP presidential election.
Among them, Aso faction leader and former Prime Minister Taro Aso (aged 85), who supported Takaichi in the party presidential election, will be appointed LDP Vice President.
In addition, House of Councillors member Haruko Arimura (aged 55) will serve as General Council Chairman; former Minister in charge of Economic Security Takayuki Kobayashi (aged 50) will serve as Policy Research Council Chairman; and former Minister in charge of the Abduction Issue Keiji Furuya (aged 72) will serve as Election Strategy Committee Chairman.
Speaking at the extraordinary General Council meeting, Takaichi said: "We will do our utmost to turn people's anxiety about current life and the future into hope and dreams."
The new leadership including Takaichi is scheduled to meet with junior coalition partner Komeito's leader Tetsuo Saito and others in the Diet (parliament) in the afternoon. Within Komeito, there are some concerns that Takaichi's appointment as LDP president may lead to a rightward shift in the Japanese government.
Takaichi is highly likely to be nominated as Prime Minister at an extraordinary Diet session expected to be convened in mid-month.
It is understood that, once in office, Takaichi may appoint Toshimitsu Motegi as Foreign Minister and Masanobu Kihara (aged 56), a close associate and former Defense Minister, as Chief Cabinet Secretary.
Trump Sends Congratulations
After Sanae Takaichi's election as LDP president, and with her poised to be designated by the Diet as Japan's first female prime minister, U.S. President Donald Trump sent congratulations on the 6th.
He posted on social media: "Japan just elected its first female prime minister. She is a highly respected person of outstanding wisdom and strong will."
He said: "This is tremendous news for the great people of Japan. Congratulations to you all!"