Motegi to stay Japan's foreign minister in message of continuity

Kishida signals 'free and open Indo-Pacific' concept is here to stay

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi meets with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a visit to London in May. (Photo courtesy of the State Department)

JUNNOSUKE KOBARA and KEN MORIYASU, Nikkei staff writers

October 1, 2021 23:34 JST

Updated on October 2, 2021 05:14 JST

TOKYO/NEW YORK -- Fumio Kishida, the newly elected leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, plans to reappoint Toshimitsu Motegi as foreign minister, Nikkei has learned.

Kishida is set to be elected Japan's 100th prime minister at an extraordinary parliamentary session on Monday, and intends to appoint his cabinet that same day.