Japan's PM Takaichi retains key party leaders in first reshuffle

Japan's prime minister is set to announce her first Liberal Democratic Party leadership reshuffle on Wednesday, prioritising continuity as the government prepares for a busy legislative calendar.

Sanae Takaichi is expected to retain many of her LDP executives in the reshuffle, which comes about a year after she took the helm of the ruling party. The move signals a preference for stability over change as key legislation approaches.

Key posts to remain unchanged

Former prime minister Taro Aso is likely to continue as vice-president, while his brother-in-law Shunichi Suzuki is expected to stay on as secretary general, according to sources familiar with the matter. Policy chief Takayuki Kobayashi is also anticipated to remain in his position.

The decision to maintain the existing leadership team is driven by Takaichi's desire to ensure continuity ahead of what is likely to be a packed legislative agenda into the end of the year, the sources said.

The reshuffle precedes changes to Takaichi's cabinet, where she is also likely to retain key ministers.

Takaichi won the LDP's presidential contest on October 4, 2025, and became the country's first female prime minister later the same month.

Source: South China Morning Post