Financial markets are wondering who will occupy the key economic posts in the new government of Liberal Democratic Party President Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, who is all but assured of becoming the new prime minister next week.
Abe's selection Wednesday was widely expected, and analysts' attention has been focused on who the new finance and financial services ministers will be and how Abe's economic policy will take shape.
"Mr. Abe is widely expected to continue Prime Minister (Junichiro) Koizumi's reform drive," said Koji Ochiai, senior market analyst at Mizuho Securities Co.