# Japan PM Takaichi to initiate reshuffle and tax reforms > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/japan-pm-takaichi-under-political-pressure > Updated: 2026-09-10T06:09:00.000Z. Sources: 65. Developments: 14. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is proceeding with a planned cabinet and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership reshuffle, scheduled to begin on September 16. The reorganization aims to stabilize her administration ahead of an extraordinary session of Parliament in early October. Key figures expected to retain their positions include LDP Vice President Taro Aso, Secretary-General Shunichi Suzuki, and Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi are also expected to remain in their posts. Within the LDP, Takayuki Kobayashi is a candidate for retention as Policy Research Council Chair, while Koichi Hagiuda is being considered to remain as executive acting secretary-general. The future role of Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Yoshimasa Hayashi remains a central point of political tension. Addressing the selection process, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated that appointments will be based on merit, expertise, and policy alignment rather than age. Kihara also addressed the impact of the party’s political funding scandal, noting that lawmakers who have faced two subsequent elections may still be considered for cabinet positions as they have received a public mandate. The reshuffle may also include the establishment of a new minister for disaster management to oversee the upcoming Disaster Management Agency. On the economic front, the government is moving toward a fiscal reform package. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama is expected to oversee a plan to reduce the consumption tax on food and beverages from 8% to 1% for two years, starting next April, with cabinet approval anticipated by September 15. ## Claims - The approval rating of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration fell to 57% in July 2026. (disputed by 10 sources) - The government has delayed deciding when to cut the 8% levy on food sales. (disputed by 8 sources) - Cabinet support rate fell to 53.7%, the lowest since the government was formed. (disputed) - The Takaichi administration's approval rating reached a record low of 53 percent according to an NHK survey. (disputed) - The Cabinet decided on August 5 to lower the consumption tax rate on food to 1 percent for a two-year period. (disputed) - The approval rating was 69% in June according to the same poll series. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Disapproval of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration rose to 34% in July 2026. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The Bank of Japan raised interest rates to 1% in June, a 31‑year high. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is preparing a cabinet and Liberal Democratic Party reshuffle starting September 16. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Prime Minister Takaichi is coordinating to retain Takayuki Kobayashi as Policy Research Council Chair. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Taro Aso is expected to be confirmed as vice president of the LDP. (corroborated by 4 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-10: Japan Cabinet Reshuffle: Kihara addresses funding scandal impact on appointments Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara indicated that LDP members involved in funding scandals may still join the cabinet if they hold public mandate, as PM Takaichi prepares a merit-based reshuffle. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-cabinet-reshuffle-kihara-addresses-funding-scandal-impact-on-appointments ### 2026-09-08: Sanae Takaichi prepares LDP and cabinet reshuffle in Japan Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi is planning an LDP and cabinet reshuffle starting September 16, alongside a proposed reduction of the food consumption tax from 8% to 1% starting next April. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/takaichi-prepares-cabinet-reshuffle-and-ldp-leadership-appointments ### 2026-09-06: Takaichi Cabinet approval ratings show divergence in recent polls Recent polls show the Takaichi Cabinet's approval rating rising to 62.5% according to JNN, though significant discrepancies exist between different media outlets' polling results. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/takaichi-cabinet-approval-ratings-show-divergence-in-recent-polls ### 2026-09-05: Prime Minister Takaichi coordinates cabinet reshuffle and key appointments Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is planning a cabinet reshuffle, seeking to retain key ministers like Motegi and Koizumi while considering Takayuki Kobayashi for a major role to ensure political stability. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/takaichi-considers-cabinet-reshuffle-and-key-appointments ### 2026-09-02: Prime Minister Takaichi to maintain administration core in upcoming cabinet reshuffle Prime Minister Takaichi plans a cabinet reshuffle to maintain her administration's core, retaining key figures like Taro Aso and Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama to ensure policy stability. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japans-pm-takaichi-coordinates-september-cabinet-and-ldp-reshuffle ### 2026-08-22: Sanae Takaichi faces political pressure amid falling approval ratings Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi faces declining approval ratings and criticism from former PM Morihiro Hosokawa amid allegations of smear campaigns and controversial policy stances. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sanae-takaichi-faces-political-pressure-amid-falling-approval-ratings ### 2026-08-20: Prime Minister Takaichi to conduct cabinet reshuffle in September Prime Minister Takaichi is preparing for her first cabinet reshuffle and LDP leadership changes in September, with potential appointments from the Japan Innovation Party. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/prime-minister-takaichi-to-conduct-cabinet-reshuffle-in-september ### 2026-08-20: Japan's Takaichi administration faces declining approval ratings Japan's LDP and Takaichi administration face declining approval ratings amid controversy over proposed consumption tax cuts and military expansion policies. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japans-takaichi-administration-faces-declining-approval-ratings ### 2026-08-17: Japan manages yen stability and regional diplomacy under Takaichi Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is managing yen stability through joint US-Japan interventions while adopting a cautious diplomatic approach toward the Yasukuni Shrine to maintain regional relations. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-manages-yen-stability-and-regional-diplomacy-under-takaichi ### 2026-08-15: Sanae Takaichi faces record low approval ratings amid inflation concerns Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's approval ratings have hit record lows amid dissatisfaction with inflation measures and uncertainty regarding the funding for proposed food consumption tax cuts. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-pm-takaichi-faces-ldp-friction-and-economic-pressure ### 2026-08-08: Japan's Takaichi considers cabinet and LDP reshuffle amid coalition tensions Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering a cabinet and LDP reshuffle amid internal party rifts and growing tension within the ruling LDP-JIP coalition regarding policy and leadership roles. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japans-takaichi-considers-cabinet-and-ldp-reshuffle-amid-coalition-tensions ### 2026-07-26: Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s approval rating hits lowest level amid inflation and yen slump PM Sanae Takaichi’s approval fell to 57 % in July, disapproval rose to 34 %; yen hit a four‑decade low and the BOJ lifted rates to 1 %, while a decision on an 8 % food levy cut remains delayed and a cabinet rev 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japans-prime-minister-sanae-takaichis-cabinet-approval-falls-to-537 ### 2026-07-22: Japan PM Takaichi's Cabinet Approval Slips Over Imperial Law Revision Japan's Takaichi cabinet approval fell to 41‑49% as polls link the drop to a controversial Imperial House Law revision and rising inflation concerns among young voters. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-pm-takaichis-cabinet-approval-slips-over-imperial-law-revision ### 2026-07-12: Prime Minister Takaichi faces no‑confidence motion over Diet neglect Japanese opposition accuses Prime Minister Takaichi of neglecting the Diet and weighs a no‑confidence motion as her secretary’s statement remains pending. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/prime-minister-takaichi-faces-noconfidence-motion-over-diet-neglect --- Cite as: Japan PM Takaichi to initiate reshuffle and tax reforms. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/japan-pm-takaichi-under-political-pressure