Yasuhisa Shiozaki, who occupies the key position of cabinet secretary, is a long-time ally, while the foreign minister, Taro Aso, though a rival within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), shares Abe’s policy priorities. Akio Kyuma, the Director-General of the Defense Agency, which is expected to be transformed into the Ministry of Defense, was instrumental in preventing Aso’s ally, Fukushiro Nukaga, from running for LDP president.