Seeking a fresh start following his party's disastrous defeat in last month's Upper House election, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who also serves as Liberal Democratic Party president, reshuffled the party's top posts Monday.
Veteran lawmaker Taro Aso, 66, was named secretary general, vacating the foreign minister's post. As the party's No. 2 figure, Aso will be responsible for coming up with strategies to win national elections.
In a news conference following his appointment, Aso said the LDP found itself in a difficult situation after the ruling coalition's crushing defeat in the July 29 House of Councilors election.