Oct 03 (NHK) - Japan's prime minister has reshuffled his Cabinet. Shinzo Abe appointed a dozen first-time ministers, while keeping several central roles unchanged. It follows his re-election as Liberal Democratic Party leader last month, where he won a third and final term despite recent scandals.
Takashi Yamashita is justice minister. He belongs to an intraparty faction led by Abe's sole challenger from the leadership vote.
The new defense minister is Takeshi Iwaya. He held the job of deputy foreign minister over a decade ago.
Upper House lawmaker Satsuki Katayama is enlisted as regional revitalization minister. She's the only woman in the new Cabinet.
Masatoshi Ishida will now serve as internal affairs and communications minister.
Masahiko Shibayama is the new education, culture, sports, science and technology minister.
Takamori Yoshikawa has worked in agriculture policy reform in the party and is taking on that role.
The new environment minister is Yoshiaki Harada.
Hiromichi Watanabe was appointed to oversee reconstruction efforts in areas devastated by the 2011 disasters in northeastern Japan.
Junzo Yamamoto is in charge of police administration.
Mitsuhiro Miyakoshi will now lead efforts to maintain and promote a resilient economy in the aging Japanese society.
Takuya Hirai is in charge of information technology policy.
Yoshitaka Sakurada is in charge of preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
Abe's retaining 6 key ministers. They include finance, foreign affairs and economy, as well as the land minister, the only minister from the LDP's junior coalition partner, Komeito. Abe's Chief Cabinet Secretary and his economic revitalization minister will also stay put.
Abe is also bringing back a familiar face to the post of Health, Labor and Welfare minister. Takumi Nemoto served as reconstruction minister from 2012 to 2014.
