Takaichi reshuffles Cabinet to revive support, keeps key ministers

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reshuffled her Cabinet on Thursday, replacing 10 of 18 ministers in a move aimed at reviving her waning popularity while ensuring policy continuity. The reshuffle, her first since taking office in October 2025, retained key figures including Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. Takaichi, Japan's first female prime minister in modern history, has seen her approval ratings decline after pushing policies such as enforcing male-only succession rules for the imperial family, which diverted attention from inflation concerns. The Cabinet changes are a common tactic for Japanese prime ministers to manage party dynamics and public opinion. Among the retained ministers, Katayama has been central to Japan's exchange-rate policy and joint interventions with the United States to support the yen. Motegi and Koizumi, both Takaichi's party rivals, were kept in their posts to contain their influence and maintain stable ties with Washington. Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa, who handles negotiations with the U.S. on tariffs and investment, also remained.