Japanese Prime Minister 
Sanae Takaichi is considering keeping Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in their posts in a Cabinet reshuffle expected in mid-September. The reshuffle could come as early as Sept. 16 to 18 and would also cover senior Liberal Democratic Party posts, CNA reported, citing Japanese media.
Why keep the three ministers? Takaichi, who, the Japan Times reported, plans to retain key members of her Cabinet and of the LDP leadership team, apparently sees keeping Motegi and Katayama as necessary for policy continuity in foreign affairs and finance. She may also want to leave key Cabinet posts unchanged so as to push through major policies such as a consumption tax cut, and appears to place great weight on continuity in foreign and defense policy given her diplomatic schedule and a planned revision of three security-related documents this year, CNA reported, citing an NHK analysis. Motegi and Koizumi, whose retention, NHK reported, may be aimed at stabilizing the government team, were her rivals in last year's LDP presidential election.
Who else is expected to stay, and when? Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, LDP Vice President Taro Aso and Secretary-General Shunichi Suzuki are also expected to stay, NHK reported. Takaichi is considering carrying out the reshuffle before her current Cabinet marks one year in office.
Why is Hayashi's future drawing attention? Internal Affairs Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi's repeated regional trips are being read as a sign he is considering a run in the autumn 2027 LDP presidential election, and some believe staying in the Cabinet might make it hard for him to run, CNA reported, citing Jiji Press. Since taking the post last October he has made 25 official regional visits covering 24 prefectures, and at a Sept. 5 seminar held by the LDP's Kagoshima prefectural chapter he said he would "do my utmost" to revitalize Japan starting from the regions. In last year's leadership race he won 72 Diet-member votes in the first round, more than Takaichi, but finished third, missing the runoff with only a little over half as many party-member votes as her.
How is the prime minister handling Hayashi? Hayashi's moves pose a "threat" to Takaichi, who is seeking re-election as party president next autumn, Jiji Press reported. The two differ on policies such as the consumption tax cut, but people around Takaichi said working to keep Hayashi in a key post was only natural and that the prime minister would ultimately negotiate with him directly.
Figures referenced: Sanae Takaichi. — JudgeMarket.
