By Guan Na
(ECNS) -- Japanese Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Sanae Takaichi has reshuffled the party leadership and reorganized her Cabinet over the past two days, moves seen as an effort to consolidate her administration and prepare for the next LDP leadership election.
Beyond the reshuffling of power, however, difficulties affecting people's livelihoods remain an unavoidable test for her government as her administration approaches its first anniversary.
On Wednesday, Takaichi reshuffled the LDP's top leadership, with most officials retaining their posts. Among the party's four key leadership positions, only Haruko Arimura was removed as Chairperson of the General Council, while the other three positions remained unchanged.
Public opinion generally holds that Takaichi's arrangements are aimed at maintaining stability within the party while laying the groundwork for her bid for the next LDP presidential election in 2027.
Japan's Jiji Press described the "biggest focus" of the personnel changes as whether Shunichi Suzuki, brother-in-law of former Prime Minister Taro Aso, would remain as secretary-general of the LDP.
Insiders said that the Takaichi camp had initially considered replacing Suzuki with Koichi Hagiuda, a former powerful figure in the Abe faction and acting secretary-general. However, the prime minister decided to keep both Aso and Suzuki in their positions, a move widely viewed as an attempt to maintain her relationship with Aso, whose support was considered important to her victory in the LDP leadership election last year.
Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao reported that Takaichi was elected LDP president in October 2025, with party heavyweight Taro Aso playing a key role in helping her win the election through the strength of his faction.
"Such an arrangement shows that she does not want to antagonize Aso and is laying the groundwork for her re-election as LDP president in 2027," analysts said. If Takaichi continues to rely on Suzuki, she can maintain her cooperative relationship with Aso, which is also an important foundation for her bid for another term as LDP president. Even people close to Takaichi have acknowledged that "there is no need to create a rift."
There are also views that Takaichi's personnel reshuffle reflects an intention to promote her allies. While Takayuki Kobayashi retained his position as chair of the LDP Policy Research Council, Takaichi also appointed Hideki Murai, a former deputy chief Cabinet secretary who had worked with her at the Prime Minister's Office, as chair of the Diet Affairs Committee. Hiroshi Kajiyama, who previously held the post, was transferred to become chair of the General Council.
Murai's appointment as chair of the Diet Affairs Committee was one of the most unexpected moves in the reshuffle.
Japanese media pointed out that it is unusual for someone who has never served as a Cabinet minister to become chair of the Diet Affairs Committee.
The "Takaichi-style" personnel arrangements have also prompted dissatisfaction within the LDP, according to Japanese media. Murai's abilities remain untested, with one senior LDP figure describing the move as "simply replacing them with people who appear more obedient," Japanese media reported.
In the reshuffle of the cabinet, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama have all remained in their respective posts, preserving the core structure of the administration.
One of the most notable changes was the appointment of Hiroshi Nakatsuka, a former secretary-general of the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), as the minister in charge of regulatory reform, marking the first time a member of the Japan Innovation Party had entered the Cabinet.
The move also showed that the party, which had previously cooperated with the government from outside the Cabinet, would become more deeply involved in the core of government, according to Japanese media.
Analysts said that one purpose of bringing a newcomer of coalition partner the Japan Innovation Party into the Cabinet was to pave the way for the 2027 House of Councillors election.
In addition, Tokyo Shimbun quoted analysts as saying, "Takaichi has a weak base within the LDP, but by working with the Japan Innovation Party, she has gained the strength to counter established forces."
Makoto Makihara, a professor at the University of Tokyo, previously said that the LDP had already shifted into a more right-wing party after choosing the Japan Innovation Party as its governing partner. Now, the shift to the right in Japanese politics may accelerate further.
Some Japanese people expressed concern, saying, "The JIP's foreign policy is even more right-wing than that of the LDP. If the Japan Innovation Party enters the Cabinet, the possibility of Japan going to war will increase."
As Takaichi approaches her first anniversary in office, the government is also facing pressure over the cost of living.
A survey by Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries recently showed that retail pork prices hit a record high in September. Prices of beef and chicken were also above their average levels in previous years, with meat prices remaining elevated.
Reuters reported that the government's latest outline of a consumption tax cut and payouts to households did not specify how the measures would be funded, leaving fiscal concerns unresolved.
A recent poll by Fuji News Network (FNN) found that more than half of respondents believed that cutting the consumption tax would have "no effect" on addressing rising prices.
At the same time, defense spending has continued to surge, with Japan's defense budget request for fiscal 2027 reaching a record high.
Public opinion has broadly criticized the government for prioritizing military buildup over people's livelihoods, while several previous Japanese opinion polls have also shown Takaichi's approval ratings declining.
"We must further enhance our ability to implement policies until the people can genuinely feel greater prosperity and a sense of security," Takaichi said on Tuesday at a meeting of senior LDP officials, referring to the latest party personnel changes and Cabinet reshuffle.
However, what the Japanese public ultimately cares about is not passion or slogans, but what kind of answer the Takaichi government has delivered on people's livelihoods after nearly a year in office.
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