On February 16, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Japan has announced the appointment of Tetsushi Sakamoto, a former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, as the Chair of the House of Representatives Budget Committee. This strategic move comes in the wake of the LDP's major losses in the 2024 House elections, where the position was previously held by opposition member Yukio Edano from the Constitutional Democratic Party. Sakamoto, who has served nine terms and has held various important roles including Minister of Agriculture and Coordinator for Local Revitalization, is now expected to steer the budgetary discussions in the upcoming session of the Diet.

In addition to Sakamoto's appointment, the party has also decided to nominate Shunichi Yamaguchi, a former Minister of Okinawa and Northern Affairs, as Chairman of the Committee for the Operation of the House of Representatives. Both Sakamoto and Yamaguchi are due to be elected to their respective positions in a special Diet session called for February 18. The new appointments are seen as an effort to strengthen the LDP's governance structure following their electoral performance and to better manage legislative priorities in a challenging political landscape.