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Cabinet reshuffle likely in Japan Japan waits for cabinet reshuffle
(10 minutes later)
A popular rival to Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is tipped to resume a key political role in what analysts say will be a major reshuffle. A popular rival to struggling Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is tipped to resume a key political role in what analysts say will be a major reshuffle.
Taro Aso has accepted Mr Fukuda's offer to become secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, Japanese media report.Taro Aso has accepted Mr Fukuda's offer to become secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, Japanese media report.
The post is seen as a launching board for the prime minister's job itself. The post is seen as a launching-board for the prime minister's job itself.
Mr Fukuda is expected to reshuffle his cabinet by the end of the day in a bid to boost his poor approval ratings. Mr Fukuda is calling in his ministers to accept their resignation so that he can appoint a new cabinet by evening.
Correspondents believe that he may seek to draw on Mr Aso's own popularity with the public to improve the ruling coalition's chances at the next general election, which must be held no later than September 2009. The first announcements will be senior appointments in the LDP, then the actual ministers, and the whole process is due to take eight or nine hours.
Yasuo Fukuda retained most of the ministers chosen by his predecessor when he took over last September but the cabinet's approval ratings have fallen below 30% for several months.
The reshuffle is seen as a last-ditch effort to try to improve the situation before Mr Fukuda calls the next general election, which must be held no later than September 2009, the BBC's Chris Hogg reports from Tokyo.
Analysts believe he may seek to draw on Mr Aso's own popularity with the public to improve the ruling coalition's chances.
The LDP's secretary general would play a key role in directing the election campaign.The LDP's secretary general would play a key role in directing the election campaign.
Charismatic figureCharismatic figure
Akihiro Ota, head of the New Komeito party which is the junior partner in Mr Fukuda's coalition, confirmed that a reshuffle was imminent after visiting the prime minister on Friday. This is a gamble for Mr Fukuda, our correspondent says.
Mr Fukuda has come under fire for his handling of domestic issuesMr Fukuda has come under fire for his handling of domestic issues
"It's important to make a government that tackles reforms with the goal of improving and encouraging people's lives but remains gentle for the less privileged in society," said on TV. He is expected to sack most of his cabinet and replace it with a new line-up, this time made up of ministers he has chosen himself, rather than inherited.
If they do well then there is a chance they will be able to persuade the electorate the party can be trusted with another term in office.
If, as happened in his predecessor's administration, they become embroiled in scandals or make mistakes Mr Fukuda will be damaged - in fact probably dealt a blow from which he will not be able to recover, our correspondent says.
Mr Aso went from being foreign minister to becoming party secretary general under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in August 2007.Mr Aso went from being foreign minister to becoming party secretary general under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in August 2007.
However, following Mr Abe's resignation, he left the post and lost the LDP leadership contest to Mr Fukuda soon afterwards.However, following Mr Abe's resignation, he left the post and lost the LDP leadership contest to Mr Fukuda soon afterwards.
Known for his conservative views, he has advocated a tough line towards North Korea and rejects changing the law to allow women to ascend the throne.Known for his conservative views, he has advocated a tough line towards North Korea and rejects changing the law to allow women to ascend the throne.
He is also a charismatic figure who is known to love Japanese manga cartoons.He is also a charismatic figure who is known to love Japanese manga cartoons.
By contrast, Mr Fukuda's approval rating has fallen dramatically amid rows over lost pension records and a new compulsory health insurance scheme for the elderly.By contrast, Mr Fukuda's approval rating has fallen dramatically amid rows over lost pension records and a new compulsory health insurance scheme for the elderly.