On the 13th, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) confirmed its plan to nominate former Justice Minister Hideyuki Mori, aged 77, as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives. The election for the Speaker will occur at the beginning of an extraordinary Diet session convened on the 18th, following the recent House of Representatives elections. Mori, who has been elected 13 times and represents the Chiba 11th district, has held various important positions in the government, including Minister of Justice and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Affairs. He is also the sole remaining member of the Aso faction within the party, which may influence his ability to lead effectively.

The role of the next Speaker is particularly significant as they are expected to facilitate discussions on stable Imperial succession among both the ruling and opposition parties, thereby guiding the "will of the legislature." By selecting Mori, who is closely aligned with Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, who has taken on a leading role in these discussions, the LDP hopes to accelerate the legislative process surrounding this sensitive and crucial issue.

This decision comes amidst a political landscape in Japan characterized by a strong one-party dominance where the LDP appears to face fewer challenges from the opposition. As discussions on matters such as imperial succession are of high public interest and importance, having a seasoned politician like Mori in a position to navigate the legislative process may lead to more cohesive policymaking. Observers are likely to continue watching how this new leadership will engage with the pressing issues facing the legislature and the implications for Japan's governance.