Takaichi Expected to Consider Cabinet Reshuffle in August-September to Boost Approval Ratings

Plans to Review Cabinet Reshuffle and LDP Personnel Changes

There are growing expectations that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may carry out a cabinet reshuffle in an attempt to boost her approval ratings.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is delivering a greeting at the "World Maritime Organization Conference" held in Tokyo on the 3rd of last month. Photo by Yonhap News

On July 25, Kyodo News reported, citing multiple government sources, that Prime Minister Takaichi is considering reshuffling the Cabinet and making personnel changes within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) as the special session of the Japanese Diet closes on this day.

The timing for the cabinet reshuffle and LDP personnel changes is expected to fall between August and September. Kyodo News also analyzed that the future of key figures—including Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama and LDP Secretary-General Suzuki Ichi—will be a central focus.

Attention is also focused on the fate of other prominent LDP members who competed against Prime Minister Takaichi in last year's party leadership election, such as Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Takayuki Kobayashi.

Vice President Aso has been regarded as the kingmaker who helped Prime Minister Takaichi win her seat. He leads the Aso faction, one of the remaining party factions within the LDP. Both Secretary-General Suzuki and Vice President Aso are known to emphasize cooperation with the opposition Democratic Party for the People.

The review of a cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Takaichi is analyzed as an attempt to recover from the recent decline in cabinet approval ratings. The move is seen as aiming to reinvigorate the administration by replacing key ministers, strengthen unity within the party, and solidify the foundation of her government.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.