Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has decided to replace four ministers and eleven other cabinet positions in his government, in response to a brewing financial scandal that has ignited public outrage.
According to the East News website, among those to be replaced are Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, Trade Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, Interior Minister Junji Suzuki, and Agriculture Minister Ichiro Miyashita, along with deputy parliamentarians and secretaries.
Nishimura has stated that he will remain in his position and will review fundraising revenues following media reports of an impending cabinet reshuffle due to allegations of financial non-disclosure.
The fifteen officials slated for dismissal are affiliated with the "Abi Faction," the largest bloc within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which has faced allegations of concealing over 100 million yen (approximately $690,000) in political funds over five years.
Kishida is scheduled to hold a press conference on Wednesday after the current parliamentary session to explain his government's handling of the matter.
Even before the fundraising scandal emerged, Kishida's government had approval ratings below 30%, a historic low since he assumed office in October 2021. This reflects voter concerns about rising living costs and impending tax hikes.
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