Japan: Newspaper Outlines Fukuda’s Plans for Cabinet Posts

Text of report in English by Japanese newspaper Mainichi Daily News website on 25 September

Ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader Yasuo Fukuda, who is set to be elected prime minister on Tuesday, will appoint Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura as chief Cabinet secretary when he launches his Cabinet, LDP sources said.

Fukuda will reappoint Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Hiroya Masuda and Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Tetsuzo Fuyushiba, the only Cabinet member from ruling coalition partner Komeito.

He had earlier decided to retain Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga, Health, Labour and Welfare Minister Yoichi Masuzoe and National Public Safety Commission Chairman Shinya Izumi.

BOTh houses of the Diet will convene plenary sessions on Tuesday afternoon to name a new prime minister.

The House of Representatives is set to elect Fukuda as prime minister as the ruling bloc holds a majority in the chamber, while the opposition-controlled House of Councillors is expected to name largest opposition Democ ratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa as premier.

However, Fukuda will assume the post of prime minister as Article 67 of the Constitution stipulates that if the two chambers name different candidates as prime minister, the candidate elected by the Lower House will take office.

Originally published by Mainichi Daily News website, Tokyo, in English 25 Sep 07.

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