Former Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki, a key member of a faction led by former Prime Minister Taro Aso, has been tapped as the next secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party, making Suzuki the right-hand man of new party president Sanae Takaichi and reflecting Aso’s growing influence.
Suzuki, 72, Aso’s brother-in-law, will be in charge of the LDP’s overall operations. Former Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi, an Aso ally who also supported Takaichi, is expected to be appointed to one of the Cabinet posts, possibly foreign minister.
Takaichi’s other rivals in Saturday’s presidential race — farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi — could also be given key posts in the party or the government. Former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, another candidate for the leadership, is expected to become the party policy chief.
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