Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi Steps Down

(MENAFN) Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her entire cabinet stepped down Wednesday, triggering a formal parliamentary process expected to swiftly return her to power.

Cabinet ministers submitted their resignation letters en masse at a cabinet meeting convened shortly after 9 a.m. local time, clearing the way for parliament to reconvene in the afternoon session to elect a new prime minister.

Following the parliamentary vote, the incoming premier will finalize cabinet appointments, with the chief cabinet secretary set to publicly announce the new lineup.

Takaichi, who also serves as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is widely expected to reclaim the premiership. Her party currently commands more than two-thirds of the seats in the powerful lower house — a commanding majority that makes her reappointment all but certain.

The reshuffle is largely procedural in nature. With Takaichi's cabinet having been installed only months ago in October, and the ruling coalition riding the momentum of its victory in the February 8 general election, sweeping changes to the ministerial lineup are considered unlikely, according to local media reports.

The developments underscore the political stability underpinning Japan's government as it heads into a new parliamentary session, with Takaichi poised to press ahead with her policy agenda under a refreshed but largely familiar cabinet.

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