Prime Minister Naoto Kan may replace the Diet affairs chief of his ruling Democratic Party of Japan, Yoshio Hachiro, later this month in an attempt to rebuild relations with the powerful opposition camp, party sources said Friday.
In addition, Kan appears to be exploring the possibility of appointing Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa to a different Cabinet post, including chief Cabinet secretary, or to a key role in the DPJ, the sources said.
In the morning, Kan and Kitazawa held talks for about 30 minutes in the prime minister's office. They also had one-to-one talks Tuesday night.