Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida smiles as he joins a live interview with news channels individually after Japan’s general election in Tokyo October 31, 2021. — Reuters pic
TOKYO, Nov 4 — 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 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 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