Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi Reshuffles Japanese Cabinet

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi conducted her first Cabinet reshuffle on September 16, 2026, replacing more than half of the 18 Cabinet members. While the changes were concentrated in less prominent state minister positions, Takaichi retained core leadership to maintain stability in key portfolios. Satsuki Katayama remains Finance Minister, Toshimitsu Motegi remains Foreign Minister, and Shinjiro Koizumi remains Defense Minister.

New appointments include Hisayuki Fujii as minister for internal affairs and communications and Takashi Yamashita as minister of justice, both of whom possess experience in policy dialogues with Taiwan. In a shift for the ruling coalition, Hiroshi Nakatsuka of the Japan Innovation Party joined as minister of state for regulatory reform. Notable departures include internal affairs minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Upper House secretary-general Junichi Ishii.

Takaichi is currently addressing economic pressures, specifically rising inflation and a weak yen, while pursuing a consumption tax cut on food that has drawn criticism from economists. Regarding national security, Defense Minister Koizumi stated that revising the national defense strategy is something that has "a major impact on Japan’s security and on the entire region."