Likely next PM, Takaichi, to appoint Japan’s first female finance minister: Report
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Ms Satsuki Katayama has a strong background in economic and finance fields, having served as minister in charge of local economic revitalisation under Mr Shinzo Abe.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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TOKYO – Japan’s likely next prime minister, Ms Sanae Takaichi, plans to appoint former minister Satsuki Katayama as the first female finance minister, broadcaster FNN said, underscoring a symbolic shattering of the glass ceiling as Ms Takaichi is set to be voted in as the country’s inaugural female premier later on Oct 21.
Ms Takaichi, a hardline conservative and an acolyte of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, is now almost certain to become prime minister at a parliamentary vote on Oct 21 after her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Oct 20 agreed to a coalition deal
With a combined 231 seats in Parliament’s dominant Lower House, the coalition falls two votes short of a majority. But that tally is almost certainly enough for Ms Takaichi to win the vote.
Her election will likely mark a harder tack to the right in a country increasingly worried about rising prices, lacklustre growth and immigration.
Ms Takaichi plans to appoint Ms Katayama, a former finance ministry official-turned-lawmaker, as finance minister, FNN reported.
Ms Katayama chairs the ruling LDP’s research commission on the finance and banking systems. She has a strong background in economic and finance fields, having served as minister in charge of local economic revitalisation under Mr Abe.
Equity markets have been emboldened by the prospect of Ms Takaichi, who is seen as likely to spend more to try and jumpstart the economy.
The Nikkei share average hit another record high on Oct 21. REUTERS
