Photo/Illutration Satsuki Katayama, a former minister for regional revitalization (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi appointed Satsuki Katayama, a key supporter in the Liberal Democratic Party’s leadership race, as finance minister in the new Cabinet to be inaugurated on Oct. 21.

Takaichi, who is regarded as proactive about fiscal stimulus, has supported raising the income tax threshold. She also agreed with the LDP’s new coalition partner, Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party), to “consider” legislation to eliminate the consumption tax on food products for two years.

Since both programs would require substantial funding, Katayama, a former minister for regional revitalization, will play the crucial role of coordinating with the Finance Ministry, which emphasizes fiscal discipline.

Takaichi has also pledged to appoint all four rivals in the LDP presidential election to key posts in her administration.

Among them, former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi has become minister for internal affairs and communications, while former agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi was named defense minister.

Of the remaining two, former LDP Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi has been tapped to serve as foreign minister. Takayuki Kobayashi, former economic security minister, has been appointed chair of the LDP’s Policy Research Council.

In addition, the new prime minister appointed Upper House member Kimi Onoda, who also supported Takaichi in the LDP leadership race, as minister in charge of economic security. It is Onoda’s first Cabinet portfolio.

Onoda, who was born in the United States, is also expected to oversee policies on foreign nationals, an area Takaichi prioritizes.

Ryosei Akazawa, a close aide to former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba who handled tariff negotiations with the United States in the Ishiba Cabinet, was named minister of economy, trade and industry.

For the chief Cabinet secretary, a pivotal position in managing the administration, Takaichi decided on Minoru Kihara, a former defense minister who shares her conservative political views.

Since Nippon Ishin intends to provide cooperation from outside the Cabinet, all ministerial posts were filled by LDP members.

Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, has expressed eagerness to actively promote female lawmakers.

However, there are only two female ministers in her Cabinet, Katayama and Onoda, compared with the record of five.

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LINEUP OF TAKAICHI CABINET

* Prime Minister:

Sanae Takaichi, 64, Lower House, LDP

* Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications:

Yoshimasa Hayashi, 64, Lower House, LDP

* Justice Minister:

# Hiroshi Hiraguchi, 77, Lower House, LDP

* Foreign Minister:

Toshimitsu Motegi, 70, Lower House, LDP

* Finance Minister:

Satsuki Katayama, 66, Upper House, LDP

* Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology:

# Yohei Matsumoto, 52, Lower House, LDP

* Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare:

# Kenichiro Ueno, 60, Lower House, LDP

* Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

# Norikazu Suzuki, 43, Lower House, LDP

* Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry:

Ryosei Akazawa, 64, Lower House, LDP

* Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism:

Yasushi Kaneko, 64, Lower House, LDP

* Environment Minister:

# Hirotaka Ishihara, 61, Lower House, LDP

* Defense Minister:

Shinjiro Koizumi, 44, Lower House, LDP

* Chief Cabinet Secretary:

Minoru Kihara, 56, Lower House, LDP

* Minister for digital transformation:

# Hisashi Matsumoto, 63, Lower House, LDP

* Reconstruction Minister:

# Takao Makino, 66, Upper House, LDP

* National Public Safety Commission Chairman:

# Jiro Akama, 57, Lower House, LDP

* Minister for policies related to children:

# Hitoshi Kikawada, 55, Lower House, LDP

* Minister for growth strategy:

Minoru Kiuchi, 60, Lower House, LDP

* Minister in charge of economic security:

# Kimi Onoda, 42, Upper House, LDP

Note: Those marked with # are joining a Cabinet for the first time.

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