What does 幹事長代行 Executive Acting Secretary-General of the LDP do? Good question.

In short: Depends on who’s in the position.

Btw, it’s only existed since 2011, when LDP was out of power and lacked govt posts to dole out.

A mini thread w/my thoughts:
#JapanPolitics
1/7

First, about the Secretary-General of the LDP: They’re second only to LDP President in the party. If the LDP is in gov’t, as is often the case, the LDP President is Prime Minister and not able to run the party day-to-day; the Secretary-General does that.
2/7

Things where Sec-Gen has enormous control:
-Who gets into the party (see Hosono Goshi saga—w/out Sec-Gen Nikai he’s not in the LDP)
-Who gets LDP policy posts (LDP committees control what becomes policy)
-What policies/issues are considered
-Cabinet posts (*some* control)
Etc
3/7

Under Secretary General is a surfeit of deputies. Their job: Whatever Sec-Gen delegates. Electioneering, policy, party wrangling, etc. These deputy posts are a proving ground for junior to middle-ranking MPs. Not sexy, but a chance to shine w/those who decide on big posts.
4/7

Executive Acting Secretary-General (EASG) is the highest ranking deputy of the Secretary-General. How they use the position depends heavily on their relationship w/the Sec-Gen, who decides what duties they can handle.
Some former EASGs:
Next PM Suga
Hosoda
Shimomura
Hagiuda
5/7

Often, EASG appears on political TV programs to debate policy with reps of other parties. They handle press conferences on behalf of the party. They meet w/foreign dignitaries, who often visit LDP HQ to pay respects. They help decide who gets party posts, like on committees.
6/7

OK, so Noda Seiko is next EASG. What will that mean? No idea, but it’s a prime position to:
-become the 1st woman Secretary-General
-get a big cabinet post (ex: MoFA, CCS)
-make another LDP pres. run
Not that the above are sure to happen, but the post could help toward those.
7/7

Bonus: Here’s the English-version LDP organization chart. It sheds light on some things. You might also come away with as many questions as answers. Haha