Japan PM Takaichi retains most key execs in ruling party reshuffle
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi retained many of her Liberal Democratic Party's executives in her first reshuffle of its top t
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi maintained the majority of her Liberal Democratic Party's executive team in her first reshuffle on Wednesday, aiming to ensure continuity amidst an extensive legislative schedule. Retaining former Prime Minister Taro Aso, who leads the party's last faction post a financial scandal, as vice president, Takaichi appointed her brother-in-law Shunichi Suzuki as secretary general.
Takayuki Kobayashi, a former economic security minister, stayed on as policy chief, while Hiroshi Kajiyama, once an industry minister, took over as head of the LDP's decision-making General Council. Kajiyama's former role of Diet affairs chief was filled by House of Representatives member Hideki Murai, a notable figure in talks with opposition parties on critical bills.
Party election strategy chief Yasutoshi Nishimura and Executive Acting Secretary General Koichi Hagiuda, once linked to a major political fund scandal, retained their positions. In a potentially contentious move, Takaichi reorganized the LDP's leadership in the House of Councillors, where the ruling coalition lacks a majority, promoting caucus head Masaji Matsuyama to replace Junichi Ishii as secretary general.
Ishii, known for skillful negotiations in the upper house, faced poor relations with Takaichi due to legislative disputes. The reshuffle precedes changes to Takaichi's Cabinet on Thursday, as the LDP and Japan Innovation Party prepare for an extraordinary Diet session, likely in early October. The session may discuss lowering the consumption tax on food by 8 percent to 1 percent from April and a contentious political reform bill that led to an opposition boycott in the prior session.
Takaichi secured the LDP presidency on October 4, 2025, becoming Japan's first female prime minister. In the Cabinet overhaul, she is expected to retain key figures like Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. Takaichi is set to meet with Hirofumi Yoshimura, leader of the junior ruling coalition partner, to discuss potential Cabinet appointments later the same day.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
