Shigeru Ishiba, the new leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is reportedly considering holding an election for the House of Representatives on October 27th. According to informed sources, the official campaign period would begin on October 15th. Ishiba is expected to clarify his policy regarding dissolving the lower chamber of parliament for a snap election once he assumes office as prime minister. However, this plan may face opposition from other parties who have been demanding full debates in parliament.
During a television program on Sunday, Ishiba stated that ”the prime minister will be replaced” and emphasized the need for the people’s judgment as soon as possible. If elected prime minister by the Diet on Tuesday, Ishiba plans to form his cabinet and deliver his policy speech in both chambers of parliament on Friday. Questions from party representatives will follow starting on October 7th.
Sources close to Ishiba suggest that if an early Lower House dissolution occurs, it is likely to take place on October 9th. Instead of budget committee meetings, Ishiba is considering holding debates with party leaders such as Yoshihiko Noda from the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.
Ishiba has also expressed his intention to attend Association of Southeast Asian Nations-related summit meetings in Laos next month. Specifically, he plans to participate in meetings scheduled for October 10-11.
Regarding appointments within LDP leadership team set to launch Monday, former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is expected to be appointed party vice president and Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki as chairman of the LDP General Council.
Former Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera may become chairman of the LDP’s Policy Research Council while Minister of Agriculture Tetsushi Sakamoto could serve as chief of the LDP’s Diet Affairs Committee.
Ishiba plans to assign Taro Aso as supreme adviser and Hiroshi Moriyama as secretary-general within LDP leadership positions. Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi is planned to be named chairman of the LDP’s Election Strategy Committee.
As for cabinet appointments under Ishiba’s leadership, former Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato may become finance minister while Gen Nakatani could serve as defense minister and Takeshi Iwaya might assume foreign minister duties.
Other potential appointments include Hideki Makihara as justice minister; Seiichiro Murakami handling internal affairs and communications; Yoji Muto overseeing economy, trade and industry; Yasuhiro Ozato serving agriculture forestry and fisheries ministry; Minoru Kiuchi taking economic security ministry role; Keiichiro Asao becoming environment minister; Yoshitaka Ito assuming regional revitalization ministry position; Junko Mihara handling policies related children; Tadahiko Ito serving reconstruction ministry role; Takamaro Fukuoka becoming health labor welfare minister; Toshiko Abe assuming education ministry duties; Ryosei Akazawa taking economic revitalization portfolio.
