Japanese Prime Minister to temporarily head foreign ministry

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Thursday that he will immediately begin implementing the previously announced political course and will personally head the country's Foreign Ministry until the next government is approved, Kyodo News reported on Thursday.

"Since I have gained the people's mandate through the general election, I now plan to speedily implement policies," the agency quoted Kishida as saying.

The prime minister also reportedly announced his intention to double as foreign minister in case Toshimitsu Motegi, the country's acting foreign minister, will be appointed to the post of secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Kishida will act as foreign minister until the composition of the new cabinet of ministers is approved, Kyodo News says.

According to Japanese media, Motegi will officially assume his new post on Thursday, replacing Akira Amari, who has occupied the position since September. Meanwhile, former Defense Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi is reported to be a possible new foreign minister.

Japanese parliament is expected to convene a special session on November 10 to elect the prime minister of Japan. Since the party represented by Kishida received over half of the parliamentary votes, the session will be just a formality. (ANI/Sputnik)

( With inputs from ANI )