Hirokazu Matsuno, secretary general of Japan’s Cabinet of Ministers, announced on Wednesday, August 10, the new composition of the country’s government. As expected, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Finance Minister Shun’ichi Suzuki retained their posts. Matsuno will also continue to serve, as will Economic Recovery Minister Daishiro Yamagiva, Kyodo news agency reported.

Yasukazu Hamada, who previously held that position from 2008 to 2009, was appointed Japan’s Minister of Defense. Yasutoshi Nishimura, who until now was responsible for the coronavirus response and a former minister of economic development, became minister of economy, commerce and industry. He also received the post of minister responsible for economic relations with Russia.

The entire government of Japan resigns

In early August 10, the previous government resigned ahead of a cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. It was originally planned that the cabinet would be reorganized in early September, ahead of the opening of the autumn session of parliament, but Kishida decided to accelerate the redistribution of posts amid declining levels of support from the population.

Support for the Japanese government has reached its lowest level since Kishida took office in October 2021, according to an NHK poll released earlier this week.