(Central News Agency, Tokyo, 21st Comprehensive Foreign News Report) Japanese media revealed that Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, who is also the president of the Liberal Democratic Party, plans to reorganize the cabinet and adjust first-level personnel within the party in mid or late September. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara is likely to be re-elected, and the Japan Reform Association is expected to send someone to the cabinet.
The Yomiuri Shimbun quoted multiple Japanese government and ruling party sources as disclosing the matter. This will be Takaichi's first cabinet reshuffle since he took office as prime minister in October last year.
Since Takaichi is expected to visit the United States in late September to attend the United Nations General Assembly, she hopes the new team will be on the road before her trip. However, she will also consider the political calendar such as the interim Congress to decide the final time.
Regarding possible future arrangements, Kihara is the core staff member of Takaichi, and his focus is on implementing the policies that Takaichi attaches great importance to. In addition, Kihara also coordinates parliamentary affairs within the Liberal Democratic Party, and also has rich connections with the Japan Restoration Society. People around Takaichi generally believe that Kihara "is an irreplaceable person in government operations" within the government and the ruling party.
Since October last year, the Japan Reform Association has been in power in coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party without sending anyone to the cabinet. The report pointed out that what kind of positions the members of the Japan Restoration Society will take in the future will be judged according to the wishes of the Restoration Society.
In addition, whether current government and party leaders such as Hayashi Masaru, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and Liberal Democratic Party Political Consultation Chairman Kobayashi Takayuki will continue to serve have also become the focus of attention. These people were all Takaichi’s opponents in last year’s election for the Liberal Democratic Party president (party chairman).
Regarding the personnel of the Liberal Democratic Party, whether Shunichi Suzuki, the brother-in-law of Taro Aso, the current Vice President of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party, will be renewed is also a focus. Since Aso supported Takaichi in the presidential election last year, Takaichi followed Aso's wishes and appointed Suzuki as secretary-general. The report speculates that Takaichi will also decide whether to continue to appoint Suzuki considering his relationship with Aso.
The Liberal Democratic Party yesterday issued a questionnaire asking members of the party about their preferred positions in the government, within the party, and in Congress, and asked members to respond before the 25th of this month.
