Image: Reuters Berita 24 English - In a cabinet reshuffle this week, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to keep Finance Mini...
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| Image: Reuters |
Berita 24 English - In a cabinet reshuffle this week, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to keep Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki, according to sources in the government and governing party on Tuesday. Local media also reported that his current Foreign Minister will remain in place.
The reorganisation occurs sooner than originally anticipated as Kishida's administration experiences declining support. Government interactions with lawmakers from the ruling party, notably former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was fatally shot last month at a campaign event, have come under greater public scrutiny.
The NHK public television reported on Monday that support for Kishida's cabinet dropped to 46% from 59 percent three weeks ago, the lowest level since he assumed office. These findings are consistent with those of other recent polls.
Due to the delicacy of the subject, the sources who provided information to Reuters about Finance Minister Suzuki declined to be named.
Koichi Hagiuda, the industry minister, is anticipated to move to a job outside the cabinet, the Yomiuri Shimbun daily reported without specifying its sources. According to the newspaper, Hagiuda will probably become the helm of the policy research committee of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
The largest LDP faction, headed by Abe until his assassination on July 8, has Hagiuda as a member. His action would emphasise the significance of that group and reinforce defence strategy, which is a crucial present concern for Japan given the concerns surrounding China and Taiwan.
According to the Yomiuri, Minoru Terada, one of Kishida's advisers, and upper house legislator Naoki Okada are anticipated to be named to the cabinet for the first time, however it was not specified what their roles would be.
Additionally, according to numerous domestic media reports, Kishida is anticipated to keep Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi. Due to health concerns, Nobuo Kishi, the defence minister, is anticipated to be replaced.
According to reports in the media, Kishida also plans to keep Taro Aso, the vice president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, and Hirokazu Matsuno, the chief cabinet secretary.
Kishida announced over the weekend that he will reorganise his cabinet to address concerns like as the rise in COVID-19 infections; however, observers claim that the move is also intended to try to stop the decline in support rates.
Additionally, respondents to opinion polls have shown opposition to the idea of holding a formal burial for Abe, Japan's longest-serving but unpopular PM, in September. Additionally, respondents claimed that politicians and political parties had not adequately disclosed their affiliations with the Unification Church.
