Japan cabinet reshuffle brings in new foreign, defense ministers

Yoko Kamikawa becomes first female top diplomat since 2004

Minoru Kihara, left, is set to become Japan's new defense minister, while Yoko Kamikawa will be foreign minister. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Hiroshi Endo and Satoko Kawasaki)

Nikkei staff writers

September 12, 2023 19:31 JST

Updated on September 13, 2023 03:29 JST

TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will appoint Yoko Kamikawa, a former minister of justice, as his new foreign minister in a cabinet reshuffle set to take place Wednesday.

Kamikawa will replace Yoshimasa Hayashi as Japan's top diplomat, becoming the first woman to serve in the post since 2004. She is one of five women tapped to serve in Kishida's new cabinet -- up from the current two and matching Japan's record.