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Japanese PM to reshuffle Cabinet Japan premier reshuffles Cabinet
(about 4 hours later)
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to announce a new Cabinet in a bid to shore up support for his embattled government. Japanese leader Shinzo Abe has chosen veteran lawmakers for key posts in his new Cabinet, reports from Japan say.
The reshuffle follows the ruling coalition's crushing defeat in last month's upper house polls. Nobutaka Machimura is expected to be named foreign minister, replacing Taro Aso, who has become the ruling party secretary-general.
Mr Abe is likely to bring back seasoned lawmakers in what is expected to be a major Cabinet overhaul. Fukushiro Nukaga and Masahiko Komura are also set to make a Cabinet return.
Ahead of the reshuffle, the prime minister filled key posts in his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The reshuffle is a bid by Mr Abe to shore up support for his embattled government following its crushing defeat in July's upper house polls.
Outgoing Foreign Minister Taro Aso was named LDP secretary-general, the number two post in the party. A formal announcement on the new Cabinet is expected later in the day.
Mr Aso shares Mr Abe's conservative agenda and has been seen as a potential successor to him. Gaffes and scandals
According to Japanese media reports, Mr Machimura, who heads the Liberal Democratic Party's biggest faction, will become foreign minister for a second time. He held the post under Mr Abe's predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi.
Mr Aso becomes the second highest official in the ruling party
Mr Nukaga, a former defence minister, is expected to take on the role of finance minister.
Mr Komura, a former foreign minister, will replace Yuriko Koike as defence minister, while a former education minister, Kaoru Yosano, will take on the position of Chief Cabinet Secretary, reports said.
Outgoing Foreign Minister Taro Aso, who shares Mr Abe's conservative agenda and has been seen as a potential successor to him, was earlier appointed to the LDP's second highest post.
Nobuteru Ishihara - son of controversial Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara - was named LDP policy chief, while former Trade Minister Toshihiro Nikai became chairman of the party's General Council.Nobuteru Ishihara - son of controversial Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara - was named LDP policy chief, while former Trade Minister Toshihiro Nikai became chairman of the party's General Council.
Scandals and gaffes Poll disaster
The Japanese prime minister promised to reshuffle his Cabinet in the wake of July's upper house elections, which saw control of the chamber handed to the opposition Democratic Party of Japan for the first time ever. It was a disastrous result for Mr Abe, who took office in September 2006. Mr Abe promised a Cabinet overhaul in the wake of last month's upper house elections, which saw control of the chamber handed to the opposition Democratic Party of Japan for the first time ever.
It was a disastrous result for Mr Abe, who took office in September 2006.
The defeat was blamed on a series of gaffes and scandals involving Mr Abe's ministers, as well as a nationwide pensions scandal, that caused voters to question the prime minister's leadership credentials.The defeat was blamed on a series of gaffes and scandals involving Mr Abe's ministers, as well as a nationwide pensions scandal, that caused voters to question the prime minister's leadership credentials.
Mr Abe has stood firm in the face of calls for his resignation. He is now expected to try to construct a strong - and scandal-free - Cabinet that will restore voters' faith in him. Mr Abe has stood firm in the face of calls for his resignation and analysts say he will be hoping that a strong - and scandal-free - Cabinet will restore voters' faith in him.
Former Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura is tipped for a Cabinet return, while Defence Minister Yuriko Koike has said that she does not wish to retain her post.