TOKYO—Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected president of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the nation’s presumptive first female prime minister, has signaled a sharp conservative turn in her upcoming administration by tapping a Yasukuni Shrine-visiting politician for a core government post.
Takaichi, 64, often referred to as ‘Woman Abe’ for her staunchly nationalist and fiscal hawk stance aligning with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, is moving swiftly to consolidate power ahead of her expected formal election as prime minister in the Diet around mid-October. The personnel choices, particularly for the cabinet’s chief spokesperson and gatekeeper, are seen as a direct reward to key backers and a clear message of her government’s ideological direction.
Sources close to the LDP indicate Takaichi plans to appoint former Defense Minister Minoru Kihara as Chief Cabinet Secretary. Kihara is known for his right-wing leanings and commitment to the contentious Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan’s war dead, including convicted war criminals. His visit to the shrine on the anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II last year was the first by an active defense minister in three years and drew immediate condemnation from South Korea and China. His selection for the powerful government spokesperson role is viewed as a worrying sign for the future stability of East Asian diplomatic ties already strained by historical disputes.
The Power of the Kingmaker
In securing her victory, Takaichi relied heavily on the support of LDP grandee and former Prime Minister Taro Aso. To reflect Aso’s crucial 'kingmaker' role, Takaichi has reportedly finalized plans for the party leadership, nominating Aso as the LDP’s Vice President. Furthermore, Shunichi Suzuki, Aso’s brother-in-law and the former Finance Minister, is slated to become the crucial LDP Secretary-General, the party’s second-most powerful position. These appointments, expected as early as Tuesday, October 7, solidify the alliance between Takaichi and the influential Aso faction, demonstrating a "reward for contribution" approach to governance.
Unity and Diplomatic Experience
Seeking to project an image of party unity following the tight LDP presidential race, Takaichi is also incorporating former rivals into her administration. Toshimitsu Motegi, the former Secretary-General who competed against Takaichi in the first round of the election before throwing his faction’s support to her in the runoff, is expected to be appointed Foreign Minister. Motegi is a seasoned diplomat, having served two years in the post starting in 2019 and holding experience in high-stakes trade negotiations with the former U.S. Trump administration.
Other rivals, including former Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and former Minister for Economic Security Takayuki Kobayashi, are also reportedly under consideration for key cabinet positions. Takaichi herself emphasized a message of "total mobilization" and "everyone playing a role" in her post-victory remarks, suggesting an effort to minimize internal dissent and focus on the LDP’s primary task: regaining public trust and parliamentary strength after recent electoral setbacks.
Takaichi’s administration, expected to be inaugurated next week, thus begins with a blend of hardline ideological appointments and strategic political balancing, setting the stage for a period of heightened domestic and diplomatic challenge.
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