{"id":1300,"date":"2026-09-18T12:09:33","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T04:09:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/btbitcoin.net\/index.php\/2026\/09\/18\/takaichi-shuffles-japans-cabinet-to-revive-sagging-support-keeps-key-ministers\/"},"modified":"2026-09-18T12:09:33","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T04:09:33","slug":"takaichi-shuffles-japans-cabinet-to-revive-sagging-support-keeps-key-ministers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/btbitcoin.net\/index.php\/2026\/09\/18\/takaichi-shuffles-japans-cabinet-to-revive-sagging-support-keeps-key-ministers\/","title":{"rendered":"Takaichi shuffles Japan\u2019s Cabinet to revive sagging support, keeps key ministers"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"bodyItems-wrapper\" readability=\"78.746791131855\">\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->TOKYO (AP) \u2014 Japan&#8217;s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reshuffled her Cabinet on Thursday in a bid to turn around her waning popularity, but retained key ministers as she pursues stronger ties with the U.S.<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Japan faces President Donald Trump &#8216;s tough demands for bigger defense spending, more investment in America and measures to combat a weak yen.<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->The reshuffle is the first by the right-wing star of the governing Liberal Democratic Party since she took office last October as Japan&#8217;s first female leader in modern history. It&#8217;s a widely used tactic by a prime minister to manage power balance within the party, policy priorities and public opinion.<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->She had for months enjoyed high ratings, attracting young voters with her style and straight talk that were fresh in male-dominated Japanese politics. But she has seen her popularity fade after pushing policies including an enforcement of male-only succession rules for the imperial family at a time people were expecting tougher measures to fight inflation.<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->&#8220;We will make a strong and prosperous Japan under the responsible and expansionary fiscal policy,&#8221; Takaichi told a news conference after her new Cabinet was formalized in a palace ceremony.<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Key ministers will stay<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Takaichi retained Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi to ensure continuity of Japan&#8217;s key policies and good ties with Washington. Both are Takaichi&#8217;s main party rivals and keeping them is seen as her strategy to contain their influence.<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Takaichi also kept Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, her longtime confidant who has been implementing her ambitious spending policy, and Economy and Fiscal Policy Minister Minoru Kiuchi. Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa, who has dealt with Trump&#8217;s tariff and investment demands, also kept his job.<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->In a party leadership revamp Wednesday, Takaichi retained a kingmaker and former Prime Minister Taro Aso as LDP vice president, his brother-in-law Shunichi Suzuki as secretary-general and a few of her right-wing allies. Her rival Takayuki Kobayashi stayed on as head of the LDP policy research council.<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Maintaining stable ties with Washington is also important for Takaichi as Japan struggles to mend ties with China following her comment last year that Japan&#8217;s military could intervene if China were to take action against Taiwan \u2014 an island democracy that Beijing considers its own territory. The tensions have spilled over into the neighbors&#8217; economic ties.<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Takaichi on Thursday reiterated that Japan consistently supports building stable and constructive ties with China.<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>    <button class=\"secondary-btn fin-size-large readmore-button    rounded   highlightWhenExpanded yf-7mptsx\" data-ylk=\"elm:readmore;itc:1;sec:content-canvas;slk:Story%20Continues\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;readmore&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Story Continues&quot;}\" aria-label=\"Story Continues\" title=\"Story Continues\"> <span>Story Continues<\/span> <\/button> <\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more-wrapper\" data-testid=\"read-more\" readability=\"58.753460433534\">\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Takaichi, who will attend the U.N. General Assembly in New York later this month, was reportedly seeking a meeting with Trump ahead of his planned Sept. 24 talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Takaichi said nothing has been decided about her talks with Trump.<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Japan plans for a stronger military with drones and use of AI<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Takaichi&#8217;s government is working to revise security and defense strategy documents by the end of the year to bolster Japan&#8217;s offensive capabilities to deter threats from China, North Korea and Russia. Japan says it wants to adapt to &#8220;new ways of warfare&#8221; that involve use of artificial intelligence and combat drones and their deployment.<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->The Takaichi-led government has increased defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product and wants to spend more for 2027. Japan is likely to face U.S. demand for further increase, possibly up to 3.5% of GDP.<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->The victory in the Okinawa gubernatorial election Sunday by Genta Koja, a conservative new face backed by Takaichi&#8217;s LDP and several other conservative parties, is expected to help her push for a military buildup on Japan&#8217;s southern islands to deter China.<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Who are the new ministers<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Takaichi replaced 10 out of 18 ministers. Hiroshi Nakatsuka, from the LDP&#8217;s junior coalition partner Japan Innovation Party, was appointed as minister of administrative reform and children policies. Kazuo Yana replaced Norikazu Suzuki as agriculture minister, despite Yana&#8217;s alleged involvement in a political funds scandal. Internal Affairs Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, Takaichi&#8217;s party rival, was replaced by Hisayuki Fujii.<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Takaichi introduces tax cut and ambitious spending<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Takaichi, as part of her measures to combat rising prices, has pushed a two-year cut in the consumption tax to 1% from the current 8% and payouts to households. But the plan without funding details has divided her party and could be a problem when parliament reconvenes in October.<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->The tax measure, adopted Monday by the Cabinet, has added to concern about Japan&#8217;s already strained financial health. Takaichi&#8217;s spending policy has already prompted U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to urge Japan to stop the reflationary policy of weak yen and low interest rates.<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<p class=\"text text-block paragraph text-left neo-font-paragraph-xl-reg  yf-18d6y07\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Mari Yamaguchi, The Associated Press<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/p>\n<figure data-testid=\"article-figure-image\" class=\"yf-750ceo\">\n<div class=\"image-container yf-1f8hkhu loader\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapper yf-1f8hkhu\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" alt=\"\" height=\"640\" width=\"960\" class=\"yf-1f8hkhu loader\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"yf-750ceo\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Japan&#8217;s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a press conference after a cabinet reshuffle at the prime minister&#8217;s office, that aimed at solidifying the ruling coalition and advancing a food tax cut despite concerns over how it will be financed in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. (Rie Kikuchi\/Pool via AP) &#8211; The Associated Press<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure data-testid=\"article-figure-image\" class=\"yf-750ceo\">\n<div class=\"image-container yf-1f8hkhu loader\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapper yf-1f8hkhu\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" alt=\"\" height=\"640\" width=\"960\" class=\"yf-1f8hkhu loader\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"yf-750ceo\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Foreground from left, Reconstruction Minister Goshi Hosono, Japan&#8217;s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, background from left Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa, Growth Strategy Minister Minoru Kiuchi and members of the reshuffled Cabinet pose for a photo at the prime minister&#8217;s office, in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. (AP Photo\/Hiro Komae, Pool) &#8211; The Associated Press<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure data-testid=\"article-figure-image\" class=\"yf-750ceo\">\n<div class=\"image-container yf-1f8hkhu loader\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapper yf-1f8hkhu\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" alt=\"\" height=\"640\" width=\"960\" class=\"yf-1f8hkhu loader\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"yf-750ceo\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Japan&#8217;s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi leaves the prime minister&#8217;s office to meet the emperor for an attestation ceremony after her cabinet reshuffling in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. (AP Photo\/Hiro Komae) &#8211; The Associated Press<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure data-testid=\"article-figure-image\" class=\"yf-750ceo\">\n<div class=\"image-container yf-1f8hkhu loader\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapper yf-1f8hkhu\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" alt=\"\" height=\"623\" width=\"960\" class=\"yf-1f8hkhu loader\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"yf-750ceo\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Japan&#8217;s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a press conference after a cabinet reshuffle at the prime minister&#8217;s office, that aimed at solidifying the ruling coalition and advancing a food tax cut despite concerns over how it will be financed in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. (Rie Kikuchi\/Pool via AP) &#8211; The Associated Press<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure data-testid=\"article-figure-image\" class=\"yf-750ceo\">\n<div class=\"image-container yf-1f8hkhu loader\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapper yf-1f8hkhu\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" alt=\"\" height=\"640\" width=\"960\" class=\"yf-1f8hkhu loader\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"yf-750ceo\"><!-- HTML_TAG_START -->Japan&#8217;s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, front center, and members of her reshuffled Cabinet pose for a photo at the prime minister&#8217;s office, in Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. (AP Photo\/Hiro Komae, Pool) &#8211; The Associated Press<!-- HTML_TAG_END -->  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<section class=\"tw-mb-8 tw-rounded-md tw-overflow-hidden yf-182xluv\" data-testid=\"video-player\"> <\/section>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>TOKYO (AP) \u2014 Japan&#8217;s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reshuffled her Cabinet on Thursday in a bid to turn around her waning popularity, but retained key ministers as she pursues stronger ties with the U.S. Japan faces President Donald Trump &#8216;s tough demands for bigger defense spending, more investment in America and measures to combat a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1300","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-us-stocks"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/btbitcoin.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1300","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/btbitcoin.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/btbitcoin.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btbitcoin.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btbitcoin.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1300"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/btbitcoin.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1300\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/btbitcoin.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btbitcoin.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btbitcoin.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}