Abe plans to appoint Shinjiro Koizumi, a rising political star touted as a future leader, as environment minister in his first ministerial post. KYODO Photo TOKYO — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to carry out a major reshuffle of his Cabinet on Wednesday as Japan is faced with a host of challenges such as the impact of a planned consumption tax increase slated for October 1. In a move to replace 17 of 19 ministers in Abe’s Cabinet, the shake-up – the first since October – comes after Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner the Komeito party secured a victory in the upper house election in the summer. In an apparent bid to boost public support for his government, Abe plans to appoint Shinjiro Koizumi, a rising political star touted as a future leader, as environment minister in his first ministerial post. In explaining the purpose of his revamp, Abe has said he would like to form a new team that can ensure political “stability” and tackle new “challenges”. Abe will keep familiar faces who have been key members of his team since his 2012 return to power – Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga. Abe plans to shift Foreign Minister Taro Kono to defence minister, while economic revitalisation minister Toshimitsu Motegi is likely to become the nation’s top diplomat. Kono and Motegi are expected to play a central role in Abe’s security team when no immediate… [Read full story]
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