Japan PM Takaichi to reshuffle LDP executives Wednesday, cabinet Thursday

Key facts

• Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will reshuffle the LDP executives on Wednesday.
• Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will reshuffle her cabinet on Thursday.
• The reshuffle aims to "strongly implement and realize policies by mobilizing the full strength" of the party and government.
• Takaichi is expected to retain many senior figures in the LDP executive lineup, including Vice President Taro Aso, Secretary-General Shunichi Suzuki, and policy chief Takayuki Kobayashi.
• Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi are also expected to remain in their cabinet posts.
• The fate of Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, a rival in last year's LDP leadership race, is drawing attention.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on Tuesday that she will reshuffle her ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) executives on Wednesday and her cabinet on Thursday. LDP Secretary-General Shunichi Suzuki stated that the reshuffle is intended to "strongly implement and realize policies by mobilizing the full strength" of the party and government.

Sources indicate that Takaichi is likely to keep many senior figures in their LDP executive positions. These include Vice President Taro Aso, a former prime minister, Suzuki himself, and policy chief Takayuki Kobayashi. Kobayashi had also been a contender in last year's LDP leadership race.

In the cabinet, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who were rivals to Takaichi in the October leadership contest, are also expected to retain their roles. Attention is focused on the position of Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, another former leadership contender whom Takaichi views as a significant political rival.