Prime Minister Kishida will replace Minister of Reconstruction Akiba, who has had problems with political funds, on the afternoon of the 27th.
He also confirmed his intention to appoint Hiromichi Watanabe, former Reconstruction Minister of the Liberal Democratic Party's Motegi faction, as his successor.
Regarding Reconstruction Minister Akiba, Prime Minister Kishida has already informed the ruling party executives that he will replace him, saying that he wants to avoid any further influence on the management of the administration and parliamentary deliberations.
In response, Minister Akiba is expected to visit the Prime Minister's official residence and submit a letter of resignation to Prime Minister Kishida.
Seen as a de-facto dismissal, Kishida's Cabinet member will be the fourth to resign since October.
On the morning of the 27th, Prime Minister Kishida said at the Reconstruction Promotion Conference held at the Prime Minister's official residence, attended by Minister Akiba, "There will be no revitalization of Japan without the reconstruction of Tohoku. Under this strong determination, all Cabinet members will continue to serve as Reconstruction Ministers." I would like them to work on the reconstruction of the disaster area with the intention of being there."
Prime Minister Kishida has confirmed his intention to appoint former Reconstruction Minister Hiromichi Watanabe of the Liberal Democratic Party's Motegi faction to succeed Akiba.
Hiromichi Watanabe is 72 years old and has been elected eight times to the House of Representatives' Chiba District 6.
He entered the Cabinet for the first time as Minister for Reconstruction in the fourth Abe reshuffled cabinet in 2018, and worked on dispelling harmful rumors about the nuclear accident.
Prime Minister Kishida seems to have aimed to show his stance toward reconstruction by appointing Mr. Watanabe, who has experience as Minister for Reconstruction and is familiar with the actual situation in the disaster-stricken areas. , I would like to rebuild the system.
However, the opposition party plans to pursue Prime Minister Kishida's responsibility for appointing Prime Minister Kishida, saying that the resignation of the four ministers deserves the resignation of the Cabinet en masse.