Sanae Takaichi forms second reshuffled cabinet amid declining approval

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has formed her second reshuffled cabinet, opting for stability by retaining key officials including Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. The administration has also integrated members from the Nippon Ishin no Kai, appointing Hiroshi Nakatsuji as Minister for Regulatory Reform.

Despite the reshuffle, public approval for the new cabinet has seen a decline. Recent polling by Asahi Shimbun placed support at 51%, a 2-percentage-point drop from the previous month, with 68% of respondents expressing concerns regarding the appointment of individuals involved in political fund scandals. Additionally, Mainichi Shimbun reported that only 23% of respondents approved of the personnel changes.

On the international stage, Takaichi’s recent trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly drew scrutiny after official footage showed her waving to an empty tarmac upon arrival. While the Prime Minister’s Office clarified that the reception followed standard protocol for a non-state visit, the incident sparked criticism on social media. The administration also faces questions regarding a proposed 7.2 billion yen budget for the Cabinet Newsroom for fiscal year 2027, which represents a tenfold increase from the previous year.