Takaichi shuffles Japan’s Cabinet to revive sagging support, keeps key ministers

TOKYO -- Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reshuffled her Cabinet on Thursday in a bid to turn around her waning popularity, but retained key ministers as she pursues stronger ties with the U.S.Japan faces President Donald Trump 's tough demands for bigger defense spending, more investment in America and measures to combat a weak yen.The reshuffle is the first by the right-wing star of the governing Liberal Democratic Party since she took office last October as Japan's first female leader in modern history. It's a widely used tactic by a prime minister to manage power balance within the party, policy priorities and public opinion.She had for months enjoyed high ratings, attracting young voters with her style and straight talk that were fresh in male-dominated Japanese politics. But she has seen her popularity fade after pushing policies including an enforcement of male-only succession rules for the i mperial family at a time people were expecting tougher measures to fight inflation.Takaichi retained Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi to ensure continuity of Japan's key policies and good ties with Washington. Both are Takaichi's main party r...