Takaichi explains personnel decisions aim to implement policies ensuring vibrant economic activity

Thank you. These personnel decisions have been made with the aims of fully implementing our policies to ensure that vibrant economic activity reaches every corner of Japan and building a country where both the Japanese people living today and future generations can live in safety and security. They have nothing whatsoever to do with next year’s LDP presidential election. With regard to those whom I ran against in last year’s LDP presidential election and who have been retained in their positions this time, I made these personnel decisions after confirming that the positions in which they are continuing are the positions they themselves preferred most. All of them have contributed greatly in their respective positions, demonstrating their abilities to the fullest. In particular, I have decided to retain ministers who are responsible for major policy shifts, including the shift toward responsible and proactive public finances, as well as ministers whose personal relationships with their counterparts overseas should be maintained. As for those who are newly joining the Cabinet, I carefully reviewed the questionnaires distributed to LDP members of the Diet and assessed each candidate’s expertise, awareness of the challenges facing Japan, and motivation. After considering their policy expertise, initiative, and passion, I selected them with a particular emphasis on their ability to execute policies. I have chosen as Cabinet ministers individuals who possess the policy expertise and capabilities necessary to serve as members of this Cabinet of Decision, Challenge, and Action. You asked about particular ministers. While I will refrain from commenting on individual Cabinet appointments, I expressed my gratitude this morning to those colleagues with whom I have worked since the formation of the Cabinet last year to pursue major policy changes. Following the Cabinet meeting at which the resignations of the previous Cabinet were formally accepted, I also asked for their continued support as the Takaichi administration takes on further challenges. With regard to the issue of omissions in political funds reports, investigations have been conducted by prosecutors, and each of the respective lawmakers has provided full and sincere explanations. They were also entrusted with seats in the legislature in the election held the year before last, which was the most difficult election for them, and have faced the judgment of the people on two occasions, including in this year’s election. The fact that they have gone through the election process does not mean that their past actions have thereby become erased or treated as though they never occurred. Nevertheless, from the perspective of placing priority on the ability to execute policies, I believe that each of these ministers possesses the policy expertise and capabilities necessary to serve as a member of my Cabinet. I expect them to approach their weighty public responsibilities with a renewed sense of discipline and responsibility.