TOKYO, Reuters – Japan’s ex-Olympics minister Shunichi Suzuki will likely be named finance minister in Fumio Kirishida’s cabinet. This is a crucial role for Japan as it tries to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.

Analysts said that Suzuki (68), the son of Zenko Suzuki, former prime minister, and brother-in law of Taro Aso is likely to carry on Aso’s moderate policies of balancing growth, fiscal reform and moderation.

The newspaper reported that Aso would become the vice president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). This was after Kishida’s victory in a leadership vote. Aso is likely to be elected as the prime minister of Japan when parliament meets on Monday. He will also announce a cabinet restructuring that day.

Mari Iwashita (chief market economist at Daiwa Securities) said Suzuki has been long considered the next leader for Aso’s party faction. He will probably follow Aso’s lead and pursue the policy goals of the finance ministry.

People at the finance ministry think the country’s credit risk is increasing without fiscal consolidation and they would prefer moderate fiscal mobilization. She said that he will be a minister who shares this sense of moderation.

Former foreign minister Kishida clinched a victory https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/fumio-kishida-wins-vote-become-japanese-ruling-party-leader-pm-2021-09-29 in a LDP’s leadership election on Wednesday and is almost certain to replace Yoshihide Suga as prime minister by virtue of the LDP’s majority in the powerful lower house.

Media reports that Toshimitsu Matsuno will remain in his current post as Foreign Minister. Hirokazu Matsuno was previously the education minister under Shinzo Abe. Matsuno belongs to an LDP faction that is closely associated with Abe.

Media reports claim that Abe will fill key positions in some party offices. These are just a few of the many reasons why Japan’s longest-serving Prime Minister will rule over Kishida.

Abe’s support for Kishida during the last leadership vote played a significant role in his victory.

Akira Amari will serve as party secretary-general. Sanae Takaichi will take over the LDP’s policy chief.

The announcement of new party officials will take place on Friday afternoon.