Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda has emerged as a strong candidate to replace Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku when Prime Minister Naoto Kan reshuffles his Cabinet, most likely on Jan. 17, ruling Democratic Party of Japan sources said Saturday.
Kan, who also heads the DPJ, will meet with Noda soon and is likely to offer the post to him, according to the sources.
Kan met with Secretary General Katsuya Okada for about an hour and a half at his official residence Saturday and discussed the reshuffle.