Cabinet reform, Prime Minister Abe will retain key members


Mr Abe's cabinet reorganization is expected to focus on stability while he is fueling a controversial proposal to amend the post-war constitution.


Japanese PM Shinzo Abe plans to rearrange the Cabinet on Oct. 2, but he is expected to retain key ministers, including leaders from the finance ministry, foreign affairs, economics, Reuters reported.

Mr Abe, who returned as prime minister in 2012, was re-elected chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party last month, paving the way for him to become Japan's longest serving prime minister.

The reform of his cabinet this time seems to focus on stability amid the moment he was motivated by a controversial proposal to amend the post-war constitution, according to political experts.

Mr Abe has said he wants to keep allies in the cabinet as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

The media said he would also retain Minister of Commerce and Industry Hiroshige Seko, Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.

According to local media, Abe will take Takeshi Iwaya, the former deputy secretary of defense, to replace Japan's Defense Ministry, replacing Itsunori Onodera.

Abe has made clear he wants to continue to push forward the plan to amend Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution to clarify the vague position of the military, which is now called the "Defense Forces" (SDF).

However, his immediate challenge is to deal with troubled trade relations with the United States and to continue to maintain economic growth.

Last week, he and US President Donald Trump agreed to re-negotiate the bilateral free trade agreement and Washington will temporarily not raise tariffs on Japanese automobiles, although Trump may be threatening again. if no progress.

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