Foreign Minister Taro Kono is being considered for the role of defense minister in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet reshuffle set for Wednesday, while a veteran ruling party lawmaker is set to replace the current land minister from junior coalition partner Komeito, political sources said Monday.
Kono is tipped to succeed current Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya, having maintained a tough stance in his role as foreign minister against South Korea over wartime issues that have recently strained political and trade ties between the two countries.
Abe is hoping that the 56-year-old Kono, known for his close ties with the United States and positive relationship with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, will strengthen Japan's role in trilateral security cooperation between Tokyo, Washington and Seoul amid the ongoing dispute.