TOKYO: The newly elected leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Fumio Kishida, will take office as the Japanese prime minister on Monday and launch his new government, aiming to promote economic recovery while keeping Covid-19 infections under control.
With the LDP-led ruling coalition controlling both chambers, the 64-year-old Kishida is almost guaranteed to be elected prime minister at an extraordinary parliamentary session on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported Sunday.
The new leader plans to dissolve the House of Representatives on Oct 14, and consequently, a general election is likely to be held on Nov 7, it reported local media said, citing sources.
Kishida has promised to increase middle-class incomes and reduce wealth disparity under his “new form of capitalism”, which is viewed as a break from the “neoliberal policies” that the Japanese government has pursued over the past two decades.
In addition, he said that an economic package worth “tens of trillions of yen” is in preparation to help people and businesses suffering from the Covid-19 pandemic.
His predecessor Yoshihide Suga, who took office last year, announced not to seek re-election last month amid the public dissatisfaction with his Covid-19 response. – Bernama
