Japan's junior ruling coalition partner Komeito gets new leader

Sep 19 (NHK) - Japan's ruling coalition partner Komeito is getting a new leader for the first time in 15 years.

Komeito is the junior partner to the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Chief Representative Yamaguchi Natsuo announced last week that he is stepping down when his eighth term expires on September 28.

On Wednesday, the party began accepting candidates for the election to choose Yamaguchi's successor.

Secretary General Ishii Keiichi was the only one who registered, so he was chosen without a vote.

The 66-year-old Ishii is currently serving his tenth term in the Lower House. He is from the North Kanto proportional representative bloc.

Ishii served as land, infrastructure and transport minister and as head of the party's policy research council. He has been the party's secretary general since 2020.

Speaking at a news conference, Ishii vowed to spearhead efforts to implement various policies as a partner in the ruling coalition.

He also said he plans to appoint more young people and women to key party posts.

Ishii said he assumes the next Lower House general election to be held as early as October 27 or November 10, and he will make preparations accordingly.

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