Japan's Prime Minister Reshuffles His Government

Tokyo, August 10 (QNA) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday reshuffled his Cabinet and party executive lineup, seeking to stem a decline in public support.
Kishida hopes the personnel changes, relying on a number of familiar faces, will pave the way for a long-term, stable administration to tackle what he has described as "the biggest challenges of the postwar era," ranging from COVID-19 and inflation to Russia's war in Ukraine and heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait, according to (Kyodo) news agency.
The prime minister retained his right-hand man, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki.
Former Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada took the defense portfolio again, as Japan seeks to reinforce its defenses through increased spending.
Kishida's new Cabinet includes LDP policy chief Sanae Takaichi, known for her hawkish security views.
Kishida had enjoyed relatively strong public support since becoming prime minister last Oct., over the past 10 months. (QNA)