Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida replaced 11 of his 19 ministers this Wednesday, in an attempt to increase the popularity of the Government, ahead of the elections for the leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party, in 2024, amid speculation about a possible dissolution of Congress.
The new appointments include five women, including former Justice Minister Yoko Kamikawa, who will now hold the Foreign Affairs portfolio, according to the Japanese news agency Kyodo News.
Among the new names is that of the special advisor to former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Minoru Kihara, who will take charge of Defense.
Health will be assigned to Keizo Takemi, Reconstruction to Shinako Tschiya and the Agriculture portfolio will be reserved to Ichiro Miyashita.
The growing discontent is mainly due to problems with the national identity card system and rising prices, which have not been accompanied by wage increases.
Kishida decided to retain ministers he considers important to the stability of the government, including Finance Chief Shunichi Suzuki, Chief of Staff and Government Spokesperson Hirokazu Matsuno, and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura. And he also kept the position of Digital Affairs Minister Taro Kono.
Source: TSF
