Japan PM Kishida says he may act as foreign minister until new cabinet formed

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Thursday that he was considering acting as foreign minister himself until a new cabinet was formed later this month, as the incumbent foreign minister was set to take over a key ruling party post.

Kishida has tapped Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi for the No. 2 post in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a powerful role that includes shaping policy.

The LDP will convene an executive board meeting later on Thursday to confirm the appointment.

Kishida led the LDP to better-than-expected election results on Sunday, with the party retaining its strong majority in the lower house.

The parliament is set to convene a special session on November 10 to confirm Kishida as prime minister. He is expected to name a new cabinet, which is likely to remain largely unchanged except for the post of foreign minister, shortly afterwards.

"Until the new cabinet, I am thinking of working as foreign minister as well," Kishida, who previously served as foreign minister, told reporters.

（Reuters）