Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Wednesday kept several senior LDP figures in
place in her first party personnel change since taking the helm about a year
ago. Former premier Taro Aso remains vice president and Shunichi Suzuki stays as
secretary-general; policy research chair Kobayashi also retained. The move aims
to preserve continuity ahead of a possible extraordinary Diet session in early
October and precedes a planned cabinet reshuffle on Thursday. The session may
consider a plan to cut the food consumption tax from 8% to 1% from April for two
years and a contentious political-reform bill to reduce parliamentary seats that
previously prompted opposition boycotts; the LDP is coordinating with coalition
partner the Japan Innovation Party in preparing the agenda.
