Government
Choose wisely
As Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe tries to win back the public’s support with a cabinet reshuffle this week, the big question is: who’s in and who’s out? It’s unclear how drastic the makeover will be but pundits expect Abe’s allies in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party – such as foreign minister Fumio Kishida and finance minister Taro Aso – to stay. With the main opposition Democratic Party in disarray after its leader quit last week, Abe has some breathing room despite his administration’s gaffes and influence-peddling scandals, which included a defence ministry cover-up that led to the resignation of its minister, Tomomi Inada. But he’ll need experienced figures who bring fresh ideas to reboot the economy and persuade the public that revising the country’s pacifist constitution would be beneficial – and that won’t be easy.