【Kōchi’s second cabinet reshuffle: rightward tilt with new members from the Japan Innovation Party and resignation of Hironobu Hayashi】 The newly reshuffled Kōchi administration was formally established on the 17th, further reinforcing its increasingly far-right orientation, as expected.
Hironobu Hayashi, one of the presumed successors to Kōchi and long considered a “China-friendly” figure, has been removed from the cabinet.
Hiromasa Nakatsuchi, former secretary-general of the Japan Innovation Party, has been appointed Minister in charge of regulatory reform—a first for a member of the party to enter the cabinet.
This appointment warrants close attention. The Japan Innovation Party has long advocated beyond administrative efficiency; originating from local politics in Osaka, it promotes constitutional revision, enhanced national security, and takes a harder line than the Liberal Democratic Party on foreign policy and historical issues.
Incorporating the Japan Innovation Party into the cabinet indicates that the ruling coalition, aiming to secure a parliamentary majority, has shifted further to the right—aligning with strategic preparations for next year’s upper house election.
No wonder Japanese media have summarized the development in just six characters: “Accelerated rightward shift in politics.”
The chief cabinet secretary, Toshio Kimbara, and seven other ministers retained their positions, preserving the core structure of the administration.
Shinjirō Koizumi (45), minister of defense, remains in office, signaling that the trajectory of military expansion will not be reversed.
Notable promotions include the first-time cabinet appointments of Fumihiko Aoyama (Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) and Haruo Sakanoue (Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)—both previously disciplined within their LDP factions over the black money scandal.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Finance Minister Satsuki Ōkubo, Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Ken’ichirō Ueno, and Economic Security Minister Norimi Onoda all remain in their posts.
This cabinet lineup is clearly designed to advance key legislative goals: passing a consumption tax reduction bill and revising three security-related documents by year-end—mechanisms to fulfill the government’s political commitments.
In essence, this reshuffle amounts to replacing personnel with more compliant figures to accelerate the implementation of the administration’s agenda.
Kōchi’s position within the leadership has become more firmly entrenched.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876570525619275/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.