Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Cabinet reshuffle, planned to take place after he returns from ASEAN-related and Group of 20 summits, may be aimed at obtaining solid support from conservatives within his Liberal Democratic Party, analysts said.
Kishida is expected to revamp his Cabinet next Wednesday at a time when China has lambasted Japan's discharge of treated contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean, further straining their already fragile ties.
While trying to freshen up the image of his government to shore up his popularity, Kishida, known as a dovish moderate, has become eager to bolster his political foundation by offering key Cabinet posts to conservative LDP lawmakers who are known for their anti-China views.