Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is planning to reshuffle his Cabinet on Wednesday. When this action, combined with the reshuffle of Liberal Democratic Party executives, takes place, there is always huge media coverage on who will be appointed to what post and what it means for the administration.
For political insiders, it's a big deal. But for those outside the political world of Nagatacho, it's sometimes hard to understand how it all works and what the implications are. Here are questions and answers on the Cabinet reshuffle:
What is the purpose of a Cabinet reshuffle and why is it important for the prime minister?