Japan's PM reshuffles Cabinet, retains key ministers

TOKYO - Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reshuffled his Cabinet on Tuesday, keeping key ministers in their posts while bringing a dozen newcomers.

 

Abe retained six ministers for the 19-member Cabinet, including Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, who doubles as Finance Minister, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga and Foreign Minister Taro Kono. The reshuffle follows Abe's re-election as leader of his Liberal Democratic Party last month, which put him on track to become Japan's longest-serving premier during a new three-year term through September 2021.

 

The premier replaced 13 ministers, such as defense, justice, agriculture, health and internal affair, picking 12 first-time ministers and one with previous ministerial experience. Following his victory in the party presidential election, Abe said he is aiming to submit constitutional amendment proposals to the next parliament session this month to clarify the legal status of the Self-Defense Forces in the war-renouncing Article 9. The new Cabinet members will later go to the Imperial Palace for an attestation ceremony.