New Komeito, still reeling from its losses in the Aug. 30 election, including the failure of its president and secretary general to win re-election, named policy chief Natsuo Yamaguchi as its new leader Monday.
Yamaguchi's appointment as president will be officially approved Tuesday when New Komeito's lawmakers and local chapters meet.
"I want to devote myself to rebuilding the party," Yamaguchi, 57, said. "I believe that all of us Diet members in the party are ready to cooperate and become mighty warriors. I humbly hold everyone's expectations and am ready to do my best."