Familiar Faces Define Shigeru Ishiba’s Top Cabinet Posts
The new prime minister has exercised creative liberty in putting together his cabinet.
On October 1, 2024, following his official ascension as Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba announced his picks for key cabinet posts in his upcoming administration. Most shared connections to his predecessor Kishida’s scandal-plagued tenure, despite Japan's toxic political atmosphere. From the Foreign Office to the Defense Ministry, extensive experience in public service, conservatism and political ties to the prime minister define Ishiba’s picks for cabinet members.
Takeshi Iwaya, Foreign Minister
After previously serving as defense minister, Mr. Iwaya makes his return to government in a new role at the Foreign Office. Considering his background, the representative from Ōita's third district will soon bring a much more conservative vision to Japanese foreign policy as he begins his term, more akin to the politics espoused by his new boss.
Born in 1957, Iwaya is the son of a former assembly member, Kei Iwaya. A graduate of Waseda University, the politician’s son studied political science and economics in college. First elected in 1987, Iwaya served in a variety of government and party roles throughout his career, including deputy secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and director of the National Defense Division of the LDP. In 2018, Iwaya served briefly as defense minister under then-Prime Minister Shinzō Abe.
Mr. Iwaya was selected despite his ties to recent party scandals, suggesting that the personal and professional connection between him and Ishiba is strong. In addition, the symbolism behind choosing a former defense official to the nation’s top diplomatic post is telling. As tensions with China and North Korea continue to rise, Iwaya’s selection confirms that Ishiba is willing to pursue a more aggressive foreign policy than his predecessor.
Gen Nakatani, Defense Minister
A former director general of the Japan Defense Agency, Nakatani’s selection further solidifies Ishiba’s rightward foreign policy shift. He also brings extensive political experience to the cabinet; Nakatani has held various roles in government since 1990. If the new prime minister is seeking legitimacy with his cabinet selections, then there are few choices better than Gen Nakatani.
Graduating from the National Defense Academy in 1980, Nakatani joined the Japanese military and served four years. Elected to the House of Representatives in 1990, he served in the legislature until 2014. This isn’t the first time Nakatani has held a top defense post. He was previously minister of state for defense in 2001.
Nakatani is one of the most prominent voices calling for a stronger policy on China in Japanese politics. In 2021, he co-signed a letter calling on the West to adopt a significantly stronger approach towards Beijing. "Because the actions of the People’s Republic of China are affecting global politics and our societies like never before, the G7 must stand up for the democratic principles we share and believe in," the letter reads in an excerpt from Politico. "We urgently call our leaders to unite around a plan of action that addresses internal and external PRC behavior which we consider contradictory to international standards."
By selecting a China-Hawk to lead the defense ministry, Prime Minister Ishiba sends a clear message as to the direction his government will be taking relations with Beijing. Along with the selection of Iwaya to lead the foreign office, it demonstrates that Ishiba’s conservative tendencies on international affairs will most likely be fully realized during his time in office.
Katsunobu Kato, Finance Minister
Mr. Kato is another figure whose presence in the cabinet brings decades of experience. After previously serving as minister of health and chief cabinet secretary, Kato joins Ishiba’s government in a decidedly different role; finance minister.
Born in Tokyo, Kato is the son of a car manufacturer CEO and grandson of a former assemblyman. After graduating from university in 1979, he served in a variety of revenue and budgeting roles before joining the House of Representatives. Kato also briefly served as minister of state for measures for declining birthrate under Shinzō Abe.
Kato ran against Ishiba in the race for party leadership in September, and joining his former rival’s cabinet is assuredly partially a calculated political move to promote unity in the fractured LDP. However, as a supporter of Abenomics, the popular economic ideology of former Prime Minister Abe, Kato’s selection also hints at a renewal of Japan’s previous economic policy characterized by increased government spending.
Seeking a Mandate
Only days after taking office, Ishiba has already called for a snap election on October 27. It’s a gamble that the career bureaucrat has doubtless carefully calculated, considering his party’s traditional success in Japanese politics. Since 1955, except for two brief stints in the opposition, the LDP has continuously held power, exercising a level of influence unprecedented for most modern democratic systems. Given the history, there’s little reason for Ishiba to worry about his coalition’s chances in the upcoming election. However, there’s more at play besides traditional majorities and parliamentary procedure. By calling for an election after nominating a cabinet filled with former defense officials, Ishiba is signaling a willingness to forge his own path. Undoubtedly, the new prime minister is seeking to balance his government’s need for a popular mandate with a desire to forge a new path to present to a weary Japanese public.
Editorial contributions by Rachael Rhine Milliard