Japan to reshuffle cabinet on September 17 under PM Takaichi

September 13, 2026 at 11:54 AM1 min

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will reshuffle her cabinet on September 17, with changes to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party leadership expected the following day. Toshiharu Furukawa may enter the cabinet for the first time, while Hideki Murai is tipped to chair the LDP's parliamentary affairs committee.

Key Facts

The cabinet reshuffle is scheduled for September 17, with LDP leadership changes expected on September 18.
Toshiharu Furukawa may receive a cabinet post for the first time.
Hideki Murai is expected to become chairman of the LDP's parliamentary affairs committee.
LDP Secretary-General Shunichi Suzuki is expected to retain his post.
Prime Minister Takaichi plans to keep her 2025 leadership rivals in senior positions, including Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.

Cabinet Reshuffle

The reshuffle will take place on September 17, followed by LDP leadership changes on September 18. Toshiharu Furukawa is expected to enter the cabinet for the first time. Hideki Murai is tipped to become chairman of the LDP's parliamentary affairs committee.

Party Leadership

LDP Secretary-General Shunichi Suzuki is expected to keep his post. Suzuki is the brother-in-law of Taro Aso, who supported Takaichi's election as party leader and prime minister in 2025. Takaichi plans to retain her 2025 leadership rivals in senior positions, including Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Internal Affairs Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, and LDP Policy Chief Takayuki Kobayashi.