(Mainichi: July 16, 2015 – p. 2)

 A senior Liberal Democratic Party member disclosed on July 15 that the LDP caucus in the House of Councillors has begun making arrangements to appoint Yoshitaka Konoike, former state minister for disaster management, as chair of the Upper House special committee to deliberate on the security-related bills.

 Konoike was elected twice to the House of Representatives and is now serving his fourth term in the Upper House. He served as state minister for disaster management in the cabinet of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and as a deputy chief cabinet secretary in the cabinet of Prime Minister Taro Aso.