Sanae Takaichi, who is expected to be Japan’s first female prime minister, appointed former Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki as the ruling party’s new Secretary-General in a sign that she aims to quell concerns about fiscal discipline.
Suzuki took the position on Tuesday while former Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso, whose support in Saturday’s leadership election was a critical factor behind Takaichi’s victory, became Vice President of the party. Analysts say that the appointments of Aso and Suzuki signal Takaichi plans to balance her penchant for stimulus measures with fiscal responsibility.
