After a string of party appointments rewarding those who supported her party leadership bid, newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is now putting some of her friends in key government positions.

Among them is Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, a former defense minister, who is expected to play a big role in the new administration.

The chief cabinet secretary acts as a liaison across the different ministries within the Cabinet, as well as between the Prime Minister’s Office and the ruling parties.