Pm Kishida Reshuffles Cabinet
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has officially announced the lineup of his new Cabinet. He hopes the shakeup will help him address challenges at home, including COVID-19 and soaring prices as well as tensions in places like Ukraine and Taiwan.
Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, Finance Minister Suzuki Shunichi and three others will remain in their posts.
The lineup also includes five former ministers, such as Kato Katsunobu, who will become health minister for the third time, and Hamada Yasukazu, who will return as defense minister. The remaining nine are first-timers.
Kishida is scheduled to hold a news conference on Wednesday evening to outline the reasons for his selection.
Earlier in the day, Kishida named the new leadership of the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Aso Taro will remain as vice president and Motegi Toshimitsu will retain the key post of secretary general.
Economy and trade minister Hagiuda Koichi has become chairperson of the Policy Research Council.