Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s support bounced up after a cabinet reshuffle, media polls showed on Friday, a development likely to help tighten his grip on power, shaken by recent scandals and a crushing loss in Tokyo elections. Abe opted for safe hands over fresh…
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s support bounced up after a cabinet reshuffle, media polls showed on Friday, a development likely to help tighten his grip on power, shaken by recent scandals and a crushing loss in Tokyo elections.
Abe opted for safe hands over fresh faces in Thursday’s cabinet reshuffle after gaffes and missteps by some in his previous cabinet, such as former Defense Minister Tomomi Inada, sent his support ratings tumbling.
Many of those in the new lineup, which Abe dubbed the »result-oriented cabinet of professionals », were reappointed, such as Finance Minister Taro Aso, or returned to posts held before, including Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera.
A poll by the Mainichi newspaper showed 35% of respondents support Abe’s government, up nine points from a month ago, while a Kyodo news agency survey showed a rise in support of 8.
