Japanese PM set to reshuffle Cabinet on Sept. 3

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tuesday at a meeting of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party that he would reshuffle his Cabinet on Sept. 3, the first time since it launched at the end of 2012.

"I would like to make fresh changes as we enter the second chapter of Japan's recovery featuring national security and regional economies," said Abe, also president of the LDP.

Regarding the reshuffle, Abe has said he intends to retain Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, and key economic ministers including Finance Minister Taro Aso and Economics Minister Akira Amari are also expected to stay.

The prime minister invited secretary general of the LDP Shigeru Ishiba to become state minister in charge of national security legislation, but was turned down by the latter in the name of " incompatible" policy idea.

According to an LDP official, Abe also said the party's new executive lineup will be introduced the same day.

The current Cabinet of 18 members has not been adjusted for more than 600 days, which triggered discontent among the ruling party. Not only that, it rubber-stamped a resolution on July 1 to lift the ban on Japan's collective self defense right, resulting sharp drop on its support rate.