Hideki Murai eyed for LDP parliamentary affairs chief role

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering appointing Hideki Murai as the parliamentary affairs chief of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) during an upcoming leadership reshuffle. Murai, a 46-year-old former Finance Ministry bureaucrat and six-term member of the House of Representatives, previously served as Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary.

Appointing Murai would be an unusual move, as the position is traditionally held by a former Cabinet minister. Sources indicate the decision aims to signal a fresh start for the LDP leadership by selecting an official active in parliamentary reform.

In addition to the LDP reshuffle, Takaichi is expected to reorganize her Cabinet and appoint state ministers and parliamentary vice ministers. Arrangements are also reportedly underway to appoint Hiroshi Nakatsuka, secretary-general of the coalition partner Japan Innovation Party, to a ministerial post. An extraordinary Diet session is expected in early October, focusing on bills regarding consumption tax cuts on food and reducing the number of seats in the Lower House.