{
  "id": 7974601,
  "title": "Takaichi Continues to Tilt toward Aso, Former Abe Faction Members in LDP Leadership Reshuffle",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/takaichi-continues-to-tilt-toward-aso-former-abe-faction-members-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T07:14:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun",
    "slug": "the-japan-news-by-the-yomiuri-shimbun",
    "url": "https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20260917-349170/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is carefully balancing the Liberal Democratic Party's executive lineup, showing favor to Vice President Taro Aso, who leads the sole remaining faction within the party. At the same time, Takaichi has placed practical party administration duties in the hands of key executives from the former Abe faction, which had previously aligned with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Takaichi's goal is to gain support within the party for the upcoming LDP presidential election next year, relying mostly on the backing of the Aso and former Abe factions.\n\nTakaichi decided early on to retain Aso and Secretary General Shunichi Suzuki, both seen as key figures in the party. Aso and Suzuki were present at the new LDP top echelon photo session on Wednesday, suggesting that the Aso faction will remain central to party management. Aso, speaking at a General Council meeting, stated that under Takaichi's leadership, they have addressed many issues and achieved results. Suzuki emphasized at a press conference that \"political stability is the most important factor in executing policy.\" Takayuki Kobayashi, the Policy Research Council chairperson, has also maintained strong relations with Aso, and Aso commended him for coordinating between the ruling and opposition parties on issues like revising the Imperial House Law.\n\nThree senior figures from the former Abe faction - Yasutoshi Nishimura, Hirokazu Matsuno, and Koichi Hagiuda - were also reappointed. Nishimura, who heads the Election Strategy Committee, wants to prepare thoroughly for the unified local elections and the Senate election two years from now. All three previously served in executive roles within the former Abe faction but faced discipline due to a politics-and-money scandal. However, they have regained influence under Takaichi's administration. Hagiuda serves as a liaison between the LDP, Prime Minister's Office, and the Japan Innovation Party, the LDP's coalition partner.\n\nTakaichi's personnel choices highlight her focus on next year's LDP presidential election, which marks the end of her term. Takaichi's internal party base has historically been considered weak. The Aso faction consists of 60 members and played a crucial role in Takaichi's victory in last year's presidential race. The former Abe faction, once the LDP's largest, still holds considerable influence within the party. However, the current lineup seems outdated, leading some party members to express concerns that Takaichi's bias toward the Aso and former Abe factions could undermine her grip on the party.",
  "summary": "Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi maintained a delicate balancing act in the Liberal Democratic Party executive lineup launched Wednesday.",
  "key_points": [
    "Prime Minister Takaichi favors Vice President Aso and former Abe faction members in LDP reshuffle.",
    "Aso and Suzuki retain key party administration roles, signaling central leadership.",
    "Former Abe faction retains 60 members, crucial for Takaichi's LDP presidential election strategy."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}