Ishiba of Japan considers former Environment Minister Koizumi for LDP election committee chair... Suga coordinates for vice president

Hayashi Chief Cabinet Secretary Likely to Continue in Position

Shigeru Ishiba, the new LDP leader who will take office as Japan's next prime minister on the 1st of next month, plans to appoint former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, his rival in the recent leadership election, as the LDP election campaign chairman, local media reported on the 28th.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Former Environment Minister Koizumi formed a two-horse race with Ishiba in the early stages of the election but finished third in the first round of voting due to the rising momentum of Sanae Takaichi, Minister in charge of Economic Security, and was eliminated.

Although Koizumi's lack of experience in ministerial or key party positions was seen as a weakness, the media noted that Ishiba appears to be selecting him as campaign chairman with an eye on an early dissolution of the House of Representatives and a general election, given Koizumi's young age of 43 and high name recognition.

NHK analyzed, "By appointing former Environment Minister Koizumi, who has garnered a certain level of support within the party, they seem to aim for harmony and to accelerate government operations by leveraging Koizumi's high name recognition and ability to communicate messages."

Reports from Kyodo News and Asahi Shimbun also indicated that Ishiba is considering retaining Yoshimasa Hayashi, the Chief Cabinet Secretary and another candidate in the election, in his current position. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi was the second-in-command of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's 'Kishida faction' and finished fourth in the election. There is also speculation that Ishiba might appoint Hayashi, who has extensive administrative experience, to another key post.

In this election, Ishiba was behind Minister Takaichi in the first round but achieved a comeback victory in the runoff. Analysts say the support of Prime Minister Kishida and former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga played a decisive role in this process. It is also reported that Ishiba is considering appointing former Prime Minister Suga as LDP Vice President and Hiroshi Moriyama, LDP Secretary-General, as party secretary-general. Additionally, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that Ishiba is considering giving a key position to Minister Takaichi as well.