TOKYO: KISHIDA Fumio, new leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, who is soon to become Japan’s prime minister, plans to appoint SUZUKI Shunichi, former chairman of the ruling party’s decision-making General Council, as finance minister for his cabinet, it was learned Friday.

Kishida will keep Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu in the post, informed sources said.

Following his victory in the LDP’s presidential election Wednesday, Kishida is set to launch the party’s new leadership team Friday afternoon. Akira Amari, former chairman of the LDP’s Research Commission on the Tax System, is expected to become the party’s secretary-general to succeed NIKAI Toshihiro.

Kishida is slated to meet with YAMAGUCHI Natsuo, head of Komeito, the LDP’s coalition partner, later Friday. They are expected to reach a fresh coalition agreement, the sources said. Kishida is certain to be elected prime minister succeeding SUGA Yoshihide in a vote at the Diet, Japan’s parliament, on Monday and is expected to form his cabinet within the day.

Suzuki worked as adviser for Kishida’s campaigning in the LDP leadership race and has served in such posts as environment minister and minister for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Meanwhile, KIHARA Seiji, a House of Representatives lawmaker from the LDP faction led by Kishida, is likely to become deputy chief cabinet secretary, the sources said.

FUKUDA Tatsuo, also a Lower House member, is likely to be chosen as chairman of the LDP General Council.

TAKAICHI Sanae, former Internal Affairs and Communications Minister and a candidate in the LDP leadership race, is expected to be named chair of the party’s Policy Research Council.

ENDO Toshiaki, former minister for the Tokyo Games, will likely be appointed chairman of the LDP’s Election Strategy Committee.

Kishida plans to pick Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister ASO Taro as vice president of the LDP.

TAKAGI Tsuyoshi, chairman of the Lower House steering committee, will be given the post of chairman of the LDP’s Diet Affairs Committee.

Former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry OBUCHI Yuko will be named to head the LDP’s Party Organization and Campaign Headquarters.

Regulatory reform minister KONO Taro, who also ran in the LDP presidential election, is slated to be appointed chairman of the party’s Public Relations Headquarters. Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry KAJIYAMA Hiroshi is seen becoming executive acting secretary-general of the LDP.

Kishida will appoint former education minister MATSUNO Hirokazu as chief cabinet secretary.

JIJI Press