TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Thursday he may take on the additional role of foreign minister until a new cabinet is formed later this month, as the incumbent foreign minister is set to take over a key ruling party post.
Kishida has tapped Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-foreign-minister-motegi-become-ruling-party-secretary-general-2021-11-02 for the No.2 post in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a powerful role that includes shaping policy.
The LDP will convene an executive board meeting later on Thursday to confirm that appointment.
Kishida led the LDP to better-than-expected election results https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-votes-test-new-pm-kishida-political-stability-2021-10-30 on Sunday, with the party retaining its strong majority in the lower house.
The parliament is set to convene a special session on Nov. 10 to confirm Kishida as prime minister. He is expected to name a new cabinet, which is likely to remain largely unchanged except for the post of foreign minister, shortly afterwards.
“Until the new cabinet, I am thinking of working as foreign minister as well,“ Kishida, who previously served as foreign minister, told reporters. — Reuters
