Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may replace his foreign minister in a cabinet reshuffle tomorrow as he seeks to get his government on track after a slump in popularity and a humiliating local election defeat.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may replace his foreign minister in a cabinet reshuffle tomorrow as he seeks to get his government on track after a slump in popularity and a humiliating local election defeat.
Fumio Kishida, a potential rival for leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, is set to be appointed chairman of the party’s Policy Research Council, broadcaster NHK reported Wednesday, without citing anyone. That would free up Kishida to run against Abe in a party leadership vote expected late next year.
Finance Minister Taro Aso and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga are expected to keep their positions. Abe must name a replacement defense minister after his protege Tomomi Inada resigned from the post last week over a cover up involving military documents, with NHK reporting that Itsunori Onodera would return to the role.
Former Trade Minister Toshimitsu Motegi may become minister for economic revitalization, NHK added. Reinstalling familiar faces is a low-risk strategy for Abe, but is likely to limit any resulting boost in opinion polls, according to Steven Reed, professor of political science at Chuo University in Tokyo.
„In some ways at this point not being interesting is a good thing, “ he said.
