Fumio Kishida was sworn in as Japan’s 100th Prime Minister (PM) by the Diet, the country’s legislature, on Monday. Following this, the new leader announced that he will call a general election on October 31.
In a news conference, Kishida also outlined the timeline for events leading up to the general election. The Diet, in its present form, will be dissolved at the end of an extraordinary session on October 14, while the Lower House lawmakers’ terms will expire a week later on October 21. Furthermore, Nomination Day will be held on October 19.
Several lawmakers, including those within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), were expecting the election to be held only in early November so that the new leader could make his international debut at the Group of 20 (G-20) leaders’ summit in Rome on October 30 and 31.
However, Kishida said he plans on skipping the summit and would be attending its events remotely where possible instead.
He further stressed that his “top priority” as PM would be to focus on Japan’s post-pandemic recovery. “The COVID-19 situation is easing for the moment, but the future remains unclear and many people in the nation still have huge concerns,” Kishida said. “We need drastic COVID-19 measures and a new economic package but, to do this, I want to first ask for the voters’ trust.” “I will swiftly take economic measures to support those who have been considerably affected by the new coronavirus,” he added.
Beyond recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the new PM highlighted other priorities such as “achieving fairer wealth distribution, ensuring economic security against strategic risks like supply chains, promoting digitisation, and stemming the fertility crisis.”
Kishida also unveiled his 20-minister-strong Cabinet. In a major shuffle of the former Cabinet, Kishida brought in as many as 13 new ministers who have no prior Cabinet experience. Several of the key portfolios were also given to those with close ties to former PM Shinzo Abe.
Only two former ministers continue to keep their portfolios: Foreign Minister (FM) Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi. Observers have interpreted this as a sign of continuity in the country’s foreign policy.
Kishida, who has previously been Japan’s FM, was chosen as PM Yoshihide Suga’s successor last week after he won the LDP’s internal election on Wednesday. Kishida closely defeated popular vaccine chief Taro Kono, who was a public favourite and regularly topped media opinion polls in the public’s choice for their preferred next PM.
Last month, PM Suga unexpectedly announced his resignation after only a year in office, leaving party members scrambling for support. His government received intense public backlash and his approval ratings nosedived after deciding to carry on with hosting the delayed 2020 Olympics in July, despite surging COVID-19 infections in the country amidst a slow vaccine rollout. The leader also lost the support of the LDP, which elected him as leader last September with about 70% of votes.
Fumio Kishida Elected as Japan’s New Prime Minister, Pledges to Combat COVID-19
The new PM also unveiled his Cabinet of 20 ministers. Several of the key portfolios were also given to those with close ties to former PM Shinzo Abe.
October 5, 2021
SOURCE: NBC NEWS