"Japan's Gender-Focused and Defense-Oriented Cabinet Signals PM's Priorities"

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has appointed a woman as foreign minister and a politician who has worked to build ties with Taiwan as defence minister in his new cabinet line-up. The choices highlight a focus on gender equality and a stronger stance on defence. Both ministers face the task of repairing strained relations with China following Japan's release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. The cabinet reshuffle comes as Kishida's popularity declines, and he retains his finance and trade ministers, signaling continuity in economic policies.