The Liberal Democratic Party on Thursday formally chose outgoing Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi to replace Akira Amari as the party’s secretary-general, in an attempt to turn over a new leaf following the outgoing executive’s shocking defeat in the Lower House election.
The party’s general council approved the change during a morning meeting. Amari commended the election results, which saw the LDP obtain enough seats to maintain its firm control over parliament, but wanted to take responsibility for his loss in a single-member district, said General Council Chairman Tatsuo Fukuda.
At a news conference, Motegi identified three priorities to tackle as a party: reviving the pandemic-hit economy through a stimulus package, laying the groundwork for victory in next year’s Upper House election and advancing party reform, something that Kishida had pledged when he was running for the LDP leadership.