Kishida picks replacements for 4 scandal-hit ministers

Japan prime minister opts for experienced hands in pitch to contain political damage

From left, Ken Saito, Takeaki Matsumoto, Tetsushi Sakamoto and Yoshimasa Hayashi are expected to be tapped to replace ministers departing amid a fundraising scandal.

Nikkei staff writers

December 13, 2023 22:34 JST

Updated on December 14, 2023 03:05 JST

TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is tapping experienced politicians to replace top ministers set to be removed from his cabinet Thursday amid a fundraising scandal in an apparent play to minimize the risk of further political damage, Nikkei has learned.

Kishida decided Wednesday to pick Yoshimasa Hayashi as the new chief cabinet secretary, replacing Hirokazu Matsuno. Hayashi, the second-in-command of Kishida's faction within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, served as foreign minister before Kishida's last cabinet reshuffle in September, and has been seen as a potential future prime minister.