October 01, 2024 10:12 GMT
JAPAN: Ishiba Formally Elected PM, Unveils New Cabinet
JAPAN
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Shigeru Ishiba has been confirmed as Japan's new prime minister following a vote in parliament and his appointment by Emperor Naruhito. The new PM is set to hold an inauguration press conference shortly following the unveiling of his Cabinet, which includes close allies in key positions. Former Minister of Defence Takeshi Iwaya becomes foreign minister, while former Director-General of the Japan Defense Agency and Defence Minister Gen Nakatani takes up the ministerial role at the defence ministry once again. Both Iwaya and Nakatani were key supporters of Ishiba's run for the leadership of the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). No figures involved in the LDP slush fund scandal have been appointed to ministerial roles.
- In a careful balancing act, Ishiba has sought to put allies into key positions while ensuring elder statesmen have a prominent role, even if they are seen as political adversaries. Former PMs Taro Aso and Yoshihide Suga have been appointed 'supreme advisor' and LDP vice president respectively. In the LDP leadership contest, Aso backed Sanae Takaichi while Suga endorsed Shinjiro Koizumu.
- Ishiba is set to call a snap general election for 27 October, with the dissolution of parliament likely to come at the end of its current session on 9 October.
- As Kyodo News reports, "Ishiba has indicated he will not deviate from the economic policy implemented by Kishida, who focused on boosting wages. The incoming prime minister has emphasized it is vital for Japan to promote robust wage growth as private consumption lacks vigor, saying the Bank of Japan should maintain accommodative monetary conditions."
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