Japanese ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)'s newly-elected President Yasuo Fukuda formally announced the lineup of the party's leadership on Monday.

 

Education Minister Bummei Ibuki, 69, was appointed party secretary general, General Council Chairman Toshihiro Nikai, 68, retained the post, and former Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki, 62, became Policy Research Council chairman, Kyodo News reported.

 

The lineup was confirmed at an extraordinary General Council meeting of the party.

 

Fukuda initially appointed former LDP Secretary General Makoto Koga General Council chairman, but switched him to the post of election strategy committee chairman at Koga's personal request.

 

The party's three pivotal executives are to meet officials of the LDP's minor coalition partner the New Komeito party to talk about policy platforms under the Fukuda administration, Kyodo said.

 

Given the LDP's majority in the lower house, which holds the decisive power in the Diet, Fukuda will naturally be appointed prime minister at an extraordinary Diet session on Tuesday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 24, 2007)