Takaichi shuffles Japan’s Cabinet to revive sagging support, keeps key ministers

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has reshuffled her Cabinet to boost her waning popularity while retaining key ministers.

Japan PM Retains Economy Minister in Cabinet Reshuffle, Vows to Speed up Spending Plans

The reshuffle was aimed mostly at having the Japan Innovation Party, Takaichi's ruling Liberal Democratic Party's coalition partner, share responsibility on policymaking by joining the cabinet. The premier appointed Hiroshi Nakatsuka from the party as minister in charge of regulatory reform.
The Economist

A risky cabinet reshuffle in Japan

First, a member of Ishin, the LDP’s coalition partner, joined the cabinet as the two parties begin to co-operate more closely—something Ms Takaichi has long sought. Second was the fate of Hayashi Yoshimasa,

A boat towed by a North Korean cargo sinks off Japan’s northwestern coast, 1 missing

A boat carrying four crew members sank while being towed by a North Korean cargo ship off Japan's northwestern coast, the Japan Coast Guard said.

Japan's core inflation holds near BOJ's target

By Leika Kihara and Yoshifumi Takemoto TOKYO, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Japan's core consumer inflation held steady near the central bank's 2% target in August, data showed on Friday, highlighting mounting price pressures that solidify the case for a near-term interest rate hike.
The Diplomat

The Potential Mismatch Between Japan and the US on China

Ahead of the Trump-Xi summit, it is critical for Japan that the United States stays on the same page regarding the challenge from China.

Japan’s Retail Bond Boom Offers New Avenue for Fiscal Funding

Japan’s rising yields are drawing record demand for retail government bonds, offering a potential new source of funding just as policymakers seek to contain borrowing costs and reduce market supply.
Reuters

Insight: How Bessent, America's bond salesman, cornered Japan on big spending

TOKYO, Sept 18 (Reuters) - When Japanese finance minister Satsuki Katayama called Scott Bessent for help to support the cratering yen in June, her U.S. counterpart's response was familiar: If Tokyo wanted assistance, it had to get its fiscal house in order.