Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has reshuffled her cabinet while keeping core ministers in place to maintain stability and advance a proposed food tax cut.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced a cabinet reshuffle on Thursday, choosing to retain key members of her administration. The move aims to solidify the ruling coalition and maintain continuity as the government pursues a planned consumption tax cut on food. Despite the reshuffle, core ministers including those overseeing finance, foreign affairs, and defense remain in their current roles.

Maintaining Core Leadership

The cabinet list, announced by top government spokesman Minoru Kihara, confirms that Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi will stay in their posts. Takaichi also retained economic ministers, including Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa and Economic Growth Strategy Minister Minoru Kiuchi. Additionally, Hiroshi Nakatsuka, a member of the coalition partner Japan Innovation Party, was appointed as the minister in charge of regulatory reform.

Policy and Economic Challenges

The administration is currently navigating rising inflation and a weak yen, with the finance ministry having previously intervened in foreign exchange markets. Takaichi’s proposed food tax cut, scheduled for next year, faces criticism from economists who note that the government has not identified the necessary five trillion yen ($32 billion) in annual funding. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Koizumi continues to lead a review of Japan's national defense strategy, citing a need for increased speed and urgency in the process.