It's a strange promotion.
Mikio Aoki, as secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's caucus in the House of Councilors, was responsible for leading the party's campaign in the July 11 Upper House election.
Yet promotion awaits Aoki despite the LDP's humiliating setback. On Monday he is set to be the uncontested choice as the next chairman of the LDP's Upper House caucus.
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