Photo/Illutration Koichi Hagiuda, standing, speaks at the Oct. 7 Liberal Democratic Party General Council meeting while Sanae Takaichi, far left, looks on. (Takeshi Iwashita)

As the newly elected president of the Liberal Democratic Party, Sanae Takaichi had no qualms about selecting those who were instrumental in her victory for party executive posts.

She allowed a lawmaker tainted by a money scandal to return to a powerful post and selected others with a similar ideological stance.

The lineup was a far cry from her pledge to bring together all generations so that everyone in the party could make a contribution.

It demonstrated not only an LDP that cannot change, but one that returned to its heyday.

In announcing the new party executive lineup on Oct. 7, Takaichi chose three lawmakers belonging to the faction led by Taro Aso that created the momentum for her electoral win.

Aso was selected as party vice president, while Shunichi Suzuki was chosen as secretary-general and Haruko Arimura was tabbed to chair the party General Council.

It is rare for the vice president and secretary-general to come from the same faction. Moreover, Suzuki is not only Aso’s brother-in-law, but also a close associate.

There is no doubt that Aso’s influence over the administration will increase in the future.

After the scandal about huge amounts of money accumulated by LDP factions through fund-raising parties came to light, almost all factions decided to disband as a sign of contrition.

The only faction that remains is the Aso one and the executive picks demonstrate the effectiveness of factions.

The moves make light of the party pledge to reform itself by changing factions into policy groups that had no influence on personnel decisions.

A clear sign that Takaichi feels the faction slush fund scandal is a thing of the past was the naming of Koichi Hagiuda as executive acting secretary-general, making him second only to Suzuki.

Hagiuda was one of the five high-ranking officials of the LDP faction once led by the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that was at the center of the money scandal, but he now is in a position to wield considerable power.

Over a five-year period, Hagiuda failed to include a total of 27.28 million yen ($179,000) in his political fund reports.

In August, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office followed the decision by the Tokyo prosecution inquest committee and handed a summary indictment to Hagiuda’s policy aide after once deciding not to indict.

The aide was ordered to pay a summary fine.

Takaichi’s selection of Hagiuda can only mean she is not taking seriously the public distrust stemming from the money scandal and the insufficient effort to look more seriously into the matter.

Hagiuda has also been repeatedly questioned about his ties to the former Unification Church, now known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification.

Even though he has not given a convincing explanation, Takaichi apparently will not hold that against Hagiuda.

As LDP policy chief, Takaichi chose Takayuki Kobayashi, a former economic security minister, who holds similar political views.

She also selected lawmakers with strong right-wing ideological beliefs and who were also close to Abe.

Arimura has received the backing of Shinto Seiji Renmei (Shinto Association of Spiritual Leadership), which is affiliated with Jinja Honcho, the national headquarters for Shinto shrines.

Keiji Furuya, who was selected as chair of the Election Strategy Committee, heads the parliamentary group affiliated with Nippon Kaigi, a conservative movement group.

We are concerned that the views of moderate, middle-of-the-road LDP elements will not be reflected in party management.

With the party executive team in place, Takaichi on Oct. 7 met with Tetsuo Saito, head of junior coalition partner, Komeito, to discuss continuing the coalition.

Komeito lawmakers and their supporters hold strong concerns about Takaichi’s handling of the LDP money scandal and her historical understanding.

The appointment of Hagiuda likely intensified such concerns.

Before entering into discussions with opposition parties about joining the coalition, Takaichi will face the urgent test of first solidifying the coalition with Komeito.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Oct. 8

Related News