Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Shuffles Cabinet After Election Setback

The Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe made cabinet shuffles after disappointing results in the July Upper House elections.

Former Defense Agency head Fukushiro Nukaga will take over as finance minister and Nobutaka Machimura will be made foreign minister. Nobutaka Machimura has already been foreign minister previously in his career.

The cabinet reshuffle will also include appointing Masahiko Komura as defense minister, Yoichi Masuzoe as health, labor and welfare minister, and former Education Minister Kaoru Yosano as chief cabinet secretary.

In the morning Abe announced several changes to the Liberal Democratic Party leadership. Among them, outgoing Foreign Minister Taro Aso will take over as secretary general, the second most powerful position within the party.

Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Akira Amari and Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Bummei Ibuki will keep their positions.

The LDP lost its majority in the House of Councilors elections on July 29, meaning control of the Upper House was released to the Democratic Party of Japan.

Will Liberal Democratic Party retain their leadership in the next general election?