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Censured ministers to go in Japan cabinet reshuffle Japanese Prime Minister Noda reshuffles cabinet posts
(about 4 hours later)
Japan's cabinet has resigned ahead of a reshuffle that is expected to see two high-profile ministers removed. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has reshuffled his cabinet, replacing five members including two ministers responsible for a series of gaffes.
Defence Minister Yasuo Ichikawa is expected to go after he was censured by the upper house over verbal gaffes related to a gang-rape in Okinawa. Defence Minister Yasuo Ichikawa and Consumer Affairs Minister Kenji Yamaokase had been censured by the upper house over various remarks.
Consumer Affairs Minister Kenji Yamaoka was also censured for inappropriate comments on financial issues. Twelve posts, including finance and foreign minister, remained unchanged.
Three other ministers are to be replaced, and reports say Katsuya Okada will rejoin the cabinet as deputy PM. Among the new appointees are former foreign minister Katsuya Okada as deputy PM to lead tax reforms.
The party heavyweight will be tasked with building support for Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's proposal to double sales tax - Japan's equivalent of value-added tax. Seen as a heavyweight, he will be tasked with building support for Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's proposal to double sales tax - Japan's equivalent of value added tax.
This currently stands at 5% but Mr Noda says it must be raised to meet rising social security costs.This currently stands at 5% but Mr Noda says it must be raised to meet rising social security costs.
Reports from Japan say the new defence minister is likely to be Naoki Tanaka, husband of former foreign minister Makiko Tanaka. Mr Ichikawa - censured for his comments about a gang-rape in Okinawa - has now been replaced by Naoki Tanaka, husband of former foreign minister Makiko Tanaka.
Mr Yamaoka - censured for inappropriate comments on financial issues - has now been replaced by Jin Matsubara.