Fukuda to carry out major cabinet reshuffle

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Fukuda to carry out major cabinet reshuffle

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is likely to carry out a major reshuffle of his 10-month-old Cabinet on Friday.

He is expected to retain Nobutaka Machimura as Chief Cabinet Secretary.

On Thursday night, Fukuda met separately with Machimura and Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Bunmei Ibuki apparently on reshuffling the Cabinet and the party leadership.

One party official told reporters that he believes there will be a major Cabinet reshuffle.

Fukuda took office last September when Shinzo Abe resigned suddenly. 15 of the 17 members of the Fukuda Cabinet are left over from the Abe Cabinet.
NHK's political reporter says Fukuda apparently hopes to put his own imprint on the Cabinet and to prepare an effective team in order to address policy matters he is facing. These include an emergency package to enhance the social security system, measures against climate change and the planned creation of a government agency for consumers.

On Friday morning, Fukuda intends to meet Akihiro Ota, the leader of New Komeito party, which the Liberal Democratic Party's coalition partner. As before, New Komeito is expected to have one Cabinet minister.

There is growing speculation that Fukuda will appoint former Foreign Minister Taro Aso as the new Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General. Aso lost to Fukuda in the party leadership election to succeed Abe last year. Aso served as Party Secretary General when Abe was Prime Minister.

2008/08/01 06:26

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