Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is likely to retain Shunichi Suzuki as secretary general of her Liberal Democratic Party in a leadership reshuffle expected later this month, government sources said Wednesday.
By reappointing Suzuki, former Prime Minister Taro Aso's brother-in-law, to the key post, Takaichi could continue to secure the support of Aso, who remains influential within the party.
Aso's backing is vital as Takaichi seeks reelection as LDP president next year and looks to maintain firm control of the party, the sources said.
The prime minister, who is also likely to reshuffle the Cabinet in the latter half of September, is expected to make a final decision taking into account the intentions of Aso, 85, and Suzuki, the 73-year-old son of the late Prime Minister Zenko Suzuki, according to the sources.
It would be the first major overhaul of the LDP leadership and the Cabinet since Takaichi became the party's head and was elected prime minister by parliament last October.
Given the LDP's landslide victory in the House of Representatives election in February, there will be no need to replace Suzuki as secretary general, the sources said, adding that Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara is also likely to be retained as the top government spokesman.
The reshuffles are expected to come after the government approves a tax reform plan to implement a two-year cut to the consumption tax on food and beverages from 8 percent to 1 percent from next April, ahead of an extraordinary Diet session expected this fall, the sources said.
Aso, who leads the LDP's only remaining faction, backed Takaichi in the previous LDP leadership race. The party's other factions disbanded following a high-profile slush fund scandal that came to light in late 2023 and dealt it a heavy blow.
Takaichi is also expected to invite members of the Japan Innovation Party, the LDP's junior coalition ally since last October, to take up a ministerial post, and possibly the posts of senior vice minister and parliamentary vice minister, the source added.
