Abe reshuffles Cabinet as support dips
PM himself is the root of many problems, expert says
TOKYO — Japanese Prime Chief Cabinet Secretary who is often critical of the ruling Minister Shinzo Abe reshuffled Yoshihide Suga, a key power party, said the lineup was his Cabinet on Thursday, broker who retained his post, “dull” and defensive in nature. seeking to repair his tattered announced the new lineup. “Abe’s cornered and one of approval ratings by installing It’s Abe’s fourth since he took the main goals of the reshuffle well-known moderates office in late 2012. The last was to remove problematic in key roles. Cabinet was appointed about ministers, although Mr Abe
Abe said he would focus on a year ago. himself is the root of many bread-and-butter issues such Public approval ratings for problems,” Nakano said. as jobs, a pledge he’s made in Abe and his Liberal Democratic Experts said they expect the past only to prioritize conservative Party have suffered after a work on Abe’s pet conservative issues such as spate of scandals over alleged causes, such as strengthening amending the Constitution. cronyism and other abuses. the role of the military, will
“We will put the economy While the party is seen as continue behind the scenes. first,” Abe told reporters after the only realistic option given The shakeup reflects Abe’s the newly installed Cabinet the lack of a united, popular recognition that despite the posed for a customary inaugural opposition, many Japanese Liberal Democrats’ overwhelming photo in morning coats object to the Liberal Democrats’ majority in parliament, and formal gowns. “There’s tendency to force his own once seemingly much left to do.” unpopular legislation invincible position after more
Abe said the appointments through parliament. than four years in office may were made after deep reflection, Koichi Nakano, an international be imperiled. based on the ministers’ politics professor at Sweeping reforms meant to strengths and experience. Sophia University in Tokyo rejuvenate the sluggish economy and cope with Japan’s slow birthrate and aging, shrinking population have made little headway as Abe instead focused on other issues such as revising the Pacifist Constitution.
Political fiefdoms
In Japan, choice Cabinet positions tend to be distributed among factions that operate almost like political fiefdoms within the ruling party, and this time is no different.
Of 19 Cabinet members, 14 were newly named. But many are party or Cabinet veterans, including Itsunori Onodera, a former defense minister who again was named to that post.
Last week, Abe protege Tomomi Inada stepped down as defense minister after the ministry was found to have covered up information about risks faced by Japanese peacekeeping troops in South Sudan.
Abe also chose several popular lawmakers known to differ from him on key issues such as nuclear power.
The new foreign minister, Taro Kono, is mildly liberalleaning and has opposed nuclear energy, though he toned down his stance while serving as reform minister in an earlier Abe Cabinet.
He is the son of Yohei Kono who in 1993 as Chief Cabinet Secretary issued the landmark Kono Statement which admits the Imperial Japanese Army coerced and forcibly recruited “comfort women” to work in military brothels during World War II.
Kono’s predecessor, Fumio Kishida, who had also taken on the defense minister post after Inada stepped down, opted out of this Cabinet and is widely thought to be aiming for a shot at becoming prime minister.
So is Seiko Noda, who was named minister for internal affairs and communications and has served in several past Cabinets.
Noda challenged Abe for leadership of the ruling party in 2015. Although a conservative, she’s a strong advocate of economic and other reforms to counter Japan’s falling birthrate and promote gender equality.