Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reshuffled his Cabinet on Thursday in an attempt to regain public support hurt by a series of scandals including a cronyism allegation against him, appointing veteran lawmaker Taro Kono as foreign minister and reinstating Itsunori Onodera as defense minister.
Apparently reflecting Abe's hopes for stable policy management, the Cabinet lineup contains many old faces including Finance Minister Taro Aso and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, the top government spokesman.
As a result, Abe's latest Cabinet consists of 13 members with current or previous ministerial experience and just six newcomers, with few surprise appointments. The youngest member is 52 years old.
During a press conference in the evening, Abe first apologized for causing public distrust over a series of issues including allegations that he swayed the approval process for the construction of a new veterinary school to be run by his friend.
While stressing his Cabinet will continue to place priority on improving the economy, Abe, who is also the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's president, stopped short of clarifying whether he would stick to his proposed schedule for constitutional reform.
Abe has said he hopes the revised supreme law will be put into force in 2020 and to that end he wants his party to submit proposals on reform for discussion during an extraordinary Diet session likely to be convened in the fall.
Debate on the Constitution "is not dependent on any schedule," he said.
He also said nothing has been decided on whether to dissolve the lower house before its members' terms expire in December 2018.
Kono, who served as minister in charge of administrative reform, assumed the foreign affairs portfolio, a role also held by his father Yohei.
Yohei Kono, a former speaker of the House of Representatives, is known for issuing as chief Cabinet secretary in 1993 a landmark apology to "comfort women" who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels. The issue has been the source of a long-standing diplomatic row between Tokyo and Seoul.
Abe said in the press conference he hopes his new top envoy will strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance by holding security talks involving their foreign and defense chiefs in the near future.
The latest Cabinet overhaul was the fourth since Abe returned to power in 2012.
Ahead of the reshuffle, Abe revamped the lineup of party executives, while retaining Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai.
In a move that may be seen as positioning for a future leadership tilt, the outgoing Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, who is viewed as a front-runner to succeed Abe, saw his wish to become chairman of the LDP's policymaking body fulfilled.
Kishida's new assignment would give him time in a high-level LDP role, allowing him to gain the experience traditionally required of party leaders.
Kishida temporarily took on the defense portfolio following Tomomi Inada's abrupt resignation Friday in connection with a data coverup scandal involving Japanese peacekeepers in South Sudan.
The reshuffle of the Cabinet and the LDP leadership comes exactly a year after the previous overhaul on Aug. 3 last year. Abe's approval ratings have plummeted to the lowest level in his second stint as prime minister.
Veteran LDP lawmaker Onodera returned as defense minister, having held the post for nearly two years from December 2012.
Former agriculture minister Yoshimasa Hayashi became education minister, while Toshimitsu Motegi will double as economic revitalization minister and minister in charge of human resources development -- a newly created post -- moving from LDP policy chief.
Former environment minister Shunichi Suzuki was picked as minister in charge of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
Abe appointed Seiko Noda, who had served as chair of the LDP General Council, for internal affairs minister, replacing Sanae Takaichi.
The selection of Noda apparently reflects Abe's attempt to show party unity as the former postal minister challenged Abe for the party leadership in 2015.
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko, who doubles as minister for economic cooperation with Russia, and transport minister Keiichi Ishii, the only Cabinet member from the LDP's junior coalition partner the Komeito party, remain in their posts.
Newcomers include House of Councillors lawmaker Masaji Matsuyama as minister for promoting the dynamic engagement of all citizens.
Yoko Kamikawa, an LDP lower house member, takes up the position of justice minister again.
Despite Abe's key policy of promoting women's empowerment, the number of female ministers fell to two from three, including Inada, who has already left the Cabinet.
The revamped Cabinet was formally launched following an attestation ceremony at the Imperial Palace in the afternoon.
