The lineup of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's revamped Cabinet drew a mixed reaction among Japan's political circles on Wednesday, as ruling party members expressed their hopes and concerns while opposition lawmakers said the new roster lacked freshness.
Kishida picked 11 members to serve in Cabinet posts for the first time, with a record-tying five female ministers appointed in a reshuffle that opposition lawmakers have framed as the premier's attempt to solidify his support base and remain in power.
"It's a breath of fresh air," said a senior lawmaker of Komeito, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's junior coalition partner.
But the lawmaker also added, "parliamentary scrutiny will expose their problems so it's a source of concern," a view that was echoed by a senior LDP executive.
Kishida retained key LDP executives who have formed the backbone of his two-year administration, including Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi and policy chief Koichi Hagiuda. Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso also stayed on in the lineup.
Kishida, who is also LDP president, is said to have sought to take heed of the wishes of each intraparty faction in order to prevent shaking up the power balance within the party ahead of an expected leadership race next year.
"The prime minister decided on the lineup for the sole purpose of seeking re-election" in the LDP race, said Hiroshi Ogushi, who leads the election strategy committee of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.
He also called on his new LDP counterpart, Yuko Obuchi, to hold herself accountable, after a scandal over misuse of political funds forced her to step down as industry minister only a month after she took the post in 2014.
"I don't see (the prime minister's) resolve for reform because it is just an inward-looking reshuffle," said Fumitake Fujita, secretary general of the Japan Innovation Party.
"The government's stance of increasing the burden on ordinary people has not changed. The contrast (with us) has become obvious ahead of the next lower house election," said Fujita.
