Japan's prime minister reshuffles cabinet, retains key ministers

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi carried out her first cabinet reshuffle since taking office last year, the move taking place in Tokyo on Thursday.

Takaichi retained several key ministers to ensure policy continuity, according to Japan's Kyodo News Agency.

The reshuffle saw Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, and Defense Minister Shinjirō Koizumi all remaining in their posts.

Coalition partner appointed as minister

The changes included the appointment of Hiroshi Nakatsuka, former secretary-general of the Japan Innovation Party, as minister for regulatory reform, marking the first time a minister from the junior coalition partner has joined the cabinet.

The reshuffle comes ahead of an extraordinary parliamentary session scheduled for October.