PM Takaichi to Unveil Her 2nd Cabinet on Thurs.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is scheduled to announce her second cabinet on Thursday, retaining the majority of her initial team. This will mark her first cabinet reshuffle since assuming office last October. Takaichi intends to keep Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on board.

Additionally, she is likely to appoint Senate lawmaker Toshiharu Furukawa, 63, in accordance with a request from Upper House members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The most significant decision will likely be regarding whether Internal Affairs Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, 65, who lost the LDP presidential election against Takaichi last year, will continue to hold his position.

For the first time, the LDP's coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, will contribute a member to the cabinet. The former Secretary-General of the party, Hiroshi Nakatsuka, 70, is expected to take on a ministerial role.