Takaichi likely to retain old faces in LDP leadership reshuffle

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the LDP are looking to keep the party in the hands of veterans ahead of the fall parliamentary session. | bloomberg

Sep 16, 2026

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who also leads the Liberal Democratic Party, is likely to introduce at least one new face in her party leadership reshuffle Wednesday while retaining the rest.

The decision comes as Takaichi — whose approval rating remains high — and the LDP look to keep the party in the hands of veterans ahead of the fall parliamentary session, where the LDP has a two-thirds majority in the Lower House but will need to work with the opposition in the Upper House, where it’s a minority party.

It also means the lineup will be in charge of the LDP’s strategy in next year’s nationwide local elections and next fall, when the next presidential election will be held.

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