Japan's Suga: "Did Not Accept Faction Demands in Duty Officer and Cabinet Member Appointments"
[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Yoshihide Suga, Chief Cabinet Secretary who is supported by major factions of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party and is a leading candidate to succeed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, said on the 7th that even if he becomes Prime Minister after winning the party leadership election, he will "not accept demands from any faction" regarding party positions or cabinet appointments.
The Asahi Shimbun reported in an interview conducted that morning that Minister Suga stated, "I will not engage in prior consultations," emphasizing this stance. Although Suga was once affiliated with the Takeshita and Kishida factions during his political career, he has maintained a non-factional policy since 2009, calling factions "symbols of an outdated system."
Recently, as Minister Suga has received support from key factions including the Hosoda faction, the largest within the LDP, as well as the Aso, Takeshita, and Nikai factions, there has been analysis suggesting that the factional power struggle might be influencing major party or cabinet appointments. In particular, Nikai Toshihiro, the party secretary-general, has been leading support for Suga, causing the three major LDP factions to be conscious of this dynamic.
Minister Suga emphasized to Asahi, "I will appoint people with professional knowledge and those who have a strong will for reform."
However, at the regular briefing that morning, when asked to evaluate Secretary-General Nikai, Suga said, "For policy implementation, close cooperation between the government and the ruling party is essential," adding, "Secretary-General Nikai firmly manages the party internally, so he is a very reliable figure."
Hot Picks Today
"Suspicious Timing?"...Trump Traded Stocks After Praising Wartime Capabilities
- "Even If I Lose My Investment, the Government Will Cover It"... The Fund Attracting Retail Investors' Attention [Weekend Money]
- There Is a Distinct Age When Physical Abilities Decline Rapidly... From What Age Do Strength and Endurance Drop?
- "I Went to 10 Convenience Stores and Still Couldn't Buy It": The Bread Sensation That Sold 100 Million Units Already [The Way We Shop Now]
- "Contact Me First If Houses Are Built": Wealthy Clients Eyeing... Will Ultra-High-End Residences Worth 20 Billion Won Be Developed? [Real Estate AtoZ]
The LDP leadership election will be officially announced on the 8th, with voting and counting on the 14th. If elected, the winner will become Japan's Prime Minister at the extraordinary Diet session on the 16th. This LDP leadership term will last one year until September next year.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
