Noda Appoints Younger Lawmakers to CDP Executive Lineup
Yoshihiko Noda, the newly elected president of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP), appointed two younger lawmakers to key positions in the party's executive lineup on September 24th. This move is seen as an attempt to revitalize the party and attract younger voters.
Junya Ogawa, 53, a former chairman of the CDP's Policy Research Committee, was named party secretary-general. Kazuhiko Shigetoku, 53, a member of the Lower House, was appointed chairman of the Policy Research Committee. Both Ogawa and Shigetoku are considered key representatives of the mid-career and younger generations within the CDP.
Noda also appointed three executive deputy presidents, including Kiyomi Tsujimoto, 64, who remains in her position. The other two are Akira Nagatsuma, 64, and Hiroshi Ogushi, 59. Makiko Kikuta, 54, a former parliamentary vice minister for foreign affairs, was appointed chair of the party's Board Meetings.
All three appointees to the executive lineup, Ogawa, Shigetoku, and Ryu, voted for Noda in the party's leadership election on September 23rd. Noda won the election with 72 votes, defeating former CDP leader Yukio Edano who received 63 votes.
Following his election, Noda stated that "from today, there are no sides. All party members will do our best to regain political power together." This statement suggests that Noda is aiming to unify the party and move forward with a renewed focus on winning back the public's trust.