Aug 04, 2017 (NHK) - Japan's prime minister says he has formed a new cabinet to regain the people's trust and push forward his policies.
Shinzo Abe replaced more than half of his ministers on Thursday amid falling cabinet approval rates. He apologized for inviting public distrust over a series of scandals.
Abe says "I would like to once again reflect deeply and apologize to the Japanese people. We'll be trying and working step by step to regain the trust of the people by steadily producing results on each and every policy issue."
Opposition lawmakers allege that government officials gave favorable treatment to the prime minister's supporters over plans to open schools, in one case, based on influence from Abe's office.
Abe denies misusing his influence, but the issues have made headlines and been debated in the Diet for months.
Abe says he appointed experienced politicians to prop up ministries and accelerate administrative reform.
The shakeup comes days after North Korea test-launched what it called an intercontinental ballistic missile. Abe says he chose new foreign and defense ministers who can further enhance Japan's security and diplomacy.
Source: ANNnewsCH
