At its general assembly on Dec. 12, the Japan–China Parliamentarians’ Friendship League elected Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Yoshimasa Hayashi, a Liberal Democratic Party member, as successor to the current chair, Masahiko Komura (LDP vice president). Hayashi said, “It is quite a challenge to open new horizons for Japan-China relations, but I look forward to seeing our friendship bear fruit by pooling our wisdom.” Komura has headed the suprapartisan league since 2004. Komura’s predecessor was Yoshimasa’s father and late former Finance Minister Yoshiro Hayashi.