Takaichi targets continuity with first Cabinet reshuffle

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives for a Cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Tuesday. | JIJI

Sep 17, 2026

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is set to launch her new Cabinet on Thursday, with key ministers remaining in place as she looks to keep her team largely intact going into what is expected to be a difficult session of parliament.

Takaichi, who serves concurrently as Liberal Democratic Party president, is also likely to bring a member of the Japan Innovation Party (JIP) into the Cabinet for the first time, a sign of the growing importance to the administration of the LDP’s coalition partner. 

Her decision also means ministers who could emerge as potential rivals if outside government will be expected to carry out the prime minister’s wishes, making it harder for them to build support within the LDP to challenge Takaichi’s leadership. 

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