Japan LDP big gun says Japan will compile a large extra budget immediately after the election

Weekend comments from Akira Amari, who is the newly installed secretary-general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)

Speaking on public broadcaster NHK's political debate programme.

• "What must be tackled at first is vaccinations."
• "We have responded with various measures by tapping emergency budget reserves. Now that the reserves are drying up, we will compile a considerably large extra budget immediately after the election."

Japan's election is due on or before 28 November 2021.

Last week the ruling LDP voted for a new leader after Suga stepped down:

• Japan's Kishida: Need to compile tens of trillions of yen worth of stimulus package by year-end

The parliamentary formality of electing the new leader as PM will happen today, October 4. The new Cabinet will also be formally selected today.

Akira Amari, secretary-general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party: