Japan's Takaichi keeps key ministers in cabinet reshuffle

Tokyo — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi maintained her key ministers in a cabinet reshuffle on Thursday, aimed at strengthening the ruling coalition and pushing forward a food tax reduction amid concerns over its financing. Cabinet reshuffles in Japan are common, undertaken to rejuvenate the government's public image and distribute ministerial posts to committed allies and seasoned lawmakers from the same party.

However, Prime Minister Takaichi, who enjoys high approval ratings nearly a year into her tenure, decided to keep several of her original team members, as revealed by her chief aide and top spokesman Minoru Kihara. Among those retained are Kihara himself, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi.

Takaichi also maintained critical economic ministers, including Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa, who has spearheaded Japan's tariff talks with the United States, and Economic Growth Strategy Minister Minoru Kiuchi, who supports proactive fiscal spending. Under Finance Minister Katayama's leadership, Japan has consistently participated in...