Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi eyes cabinet reshuffle and may miss NATO summit

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attended the G7 summit in Evian, France, but faces declining approval ratings at home. She intends to pass a slate of major bills—including revisions to the Imperial Household Law, re‑examination of the retrial system, and other legislation—before the Diet session ends on 17 July, without seeking an extension. A cabinet reshuffle is expected after the session concludes at the end of July, coinciding with the national war‑memorial ceremony.

Separate reports indicate that Takaichi is likely to skip the NATO summit in Turkey scheduled for July, citing a conflict with the parliamentary calendar. If she remains absent, it would be the second consecutive Japanese prime minister to miss the NATO meeting, following the cancellation by former premier Ishihara in 2025. The last Japanese leader to attend was former prime minister Fumio Kishida in 2022.