Takaichi reshuffles Japan’s government — The Japan Times
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday presented a reshuffled cabinet, retaining most key ministers ahead of an expected difficult parliamentary session. At the same time, a representative of the Japan Innovation Party, the coalition partner of the Liberal Democratic Party, joined the Cabinet for the first time.
As The Japan Times reports, Satsuki Katayama remained finance minister, while Toshimitsu Motegi remained foreign minister. Shinjiro Koizumi also retained his position as defense minister. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, the government’s chief spokesperson, was reappointed to his post.
The tax issue in parliament
One of the most contentious issues for Takaichi’s government during the parliamentary session is expected to be legislation on reducing the consumption tax on food products. It concerns cutting the rate from 8% to 1% for two years, starting in April next year. The Takaichi administration will likely seek to pass this legislation by the end of the year.
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Katayama’s retention as finance minister means that she will have to explain in parliament the mechanism for financing such a decision. Motegi and Koizumi remained in their posts during a period of geopolitical instability and uncertainty.
A representative of the coalition partner
Parliament veteran Hiroshi Nakatsuka of the Japan Innovation Party, also known as Nippon Ishin no Kai, became state minister for administrative reform. This is the first time a representative of this political force has joined the Cabinet since the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party concluded a coalition agreement in October last year.
Koizumi, in particular, will answer parliamentary questions regarding the revision of Japan’s three key security documents. Among the issues under discussion is a proposal to change the country’s long-standing policy of not allowing nuclear weapons on its territory, which Takaichi supported.
