Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reshuffled executives of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Wednesday, but gravitated heavily toward old veterans in an apparent bid to stabilize his power base.
Abe promoted Toshihiro Nikai, 77, who formerly served as chairman of the LDP's General Council, to secretary-general to replace longtime ally Sadakazu Tanigaki. The prime minister also appointed 72-year-old Hiroyuki Hosoda, a former LDP vice secretary-general, as the General Council chairman, while tapping former election strategy chairman Toshimitsu Motegi, 60, to become policy chief.
At their inaugural news conference at LDP headquarters, Nikai in particular vowed to help Abe spread the benefits of his Abenomics policy nationwide.