Fumio Kishida, who is set to be named prime minister Monday, plans to create a new ministerial post for economic security in a veiled counter to alleged technology theft by China, sources familiar with the matter have said.
Takayuki Kobayashi, a former parliamentary vice-minister of defense, will be appointed to the post, sources said Sunday. The new minister is expected to craft a national strategy designed to block a technology drain from the country.
Kishida, who will launch his Cabinet after being elected prime minister at the start of an extraordinary Diet session Monday, is also considering appointing a prime ministerial adviser on the issue, the sources said Saturday.