The Japanese Prime Minister replaced this Wednesday 11 of the 19 ministers, in what is being seen by analysts as an attempt to increase the government’s popularityahead of the elections for the leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party, in 2024, amid speculation about a possible dissolution of Congress.
Fumio Kishida’s new appointments include five womenincluding former Justice Minister Yoko Kamikawa, who will now occupy the Foreign Affairs portfolio, according to Japanese news agency Kyodo News.
Among the new names appears that of the special advisor to former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Minoru Kihara, who will take over the Defense. Health will be assigned to Keizo Takemi, Reconstruction to Shinako Tschiya and the Agriculture portfolio is reserved for Ichiro Miyashita.
The growing discontent is mainly due to problems with the national identity card system and rising priceswhich were not accompanied by salary increases.
Kishida decided to keep ministers who considers important for government stability, including the head of Finance, Shunichi Suzuki, the Chief of Staff and government spokesman, Hirokazu Matsuno, and the Minister of Industry, Yasutoshi Nishimura. And he also kept the place of the Minister for Digital Affairs, Taro Kono.
Source: https://observador.pt/2023/09/13/primeiro-ministro-do-japao-substitui-11-dos-19-ministros/
