Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reorganized his cabinet. This is the first cabinet reshuffle since Abe took office in 2025. In addition to the indication that the cabinet is accelerating rightward tendencies, some of the officials appointed by Abe have also drawn public attention.
According to Japanese television reports, Akio Takahashi appointed 60-year-old Yasue Shiratsuka as a government official for the Finance Ministry in Japan. Yasue stated that she hopes to support the work of Finance Minister Katsumi Tabayama and utilize her experience in the catering industry to follow up on Japan's food tax reduction policy, thereby reducing the impact on the Japanese catering industry and agriculture.
However, White Sakana's long-term involvement in the prostitute industry has drawn attention from Japanese public opinion. Public records show that Yaki White Sakana was born in Taketa City, Oita Prefecture, Japan. She was admitted to Waseda University in 1985 and began working in nightclubs in 1987, specializing in the prostitute industry. After graduating from university, White Sakana opened a nightclub in Ginza, a major commercial district in Tokyo.
Due to her long-term operation of nightclubs and restaurants in Ginza, she is referred to by Japanese media as "the mother of Ginza."
In 2023, Shiraka participated in the by-election for the Oita constituency in the Japanese Senate as a candidate supported by the Liberal Democratic Party. She was elected as a senator. In the 2025 Senate elections, Shiraka lost and failed to be re-elected. In February 2026, Shiraka ran as a Liberal Democratic Party candidate in the Japanese House of Representatives elections and was elected as a representative.
Hakusan Ayaka – Japanese media photo
This appointment has caused some controversy in Japan. Some Japanese netizens who support the decision believe that “professional discrimination” should not be allowed. Those who oppose the decision point out that it is inappropriate for someone who has been running nightclubs for years to become a finance minister just based on three years of parliamentary experience. It seems that the Koizumi cabinet is lacking in talent. Some netizens even question, “Is today April Fools’ Day?”
On September 17, Kei Shibusawa announced the lineup of new cabinet members. Muraki Minoru, who serves as the head of the Cabinet Office and is central to the government's operations, will remain in his position. Kataoka Kōetsu will continue to serve as Minister of Finance, Mochizuki Toshihide will continue to serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Koizumi Noburo will continue to oversee the Ministry of Defense. Ryūzō Akazawa, who is responsible for negotiations on economic and trade matters with the United States, will continue to serve as Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. The core members of Kei's administration remained in their positions.
The head of the far-right political party, the Japan Restoration Party, Nakai Hiroshi, was appointed as Minister for Regulation Reform. This is the first time that the Japan Restoration Party has officially sent someone to the cabinet since the establishment of the restoration government.
After the cabinet reshuffle, the food consumption tax reduction policy promoted by the Gao government will enter a crucial review stage. However, this policy faces significant financial risks.
According to media such as the Japan Economic News, Governor Takashi Koumotsu plans to reduce the food consumption tax from 8% to 1%. This would result in a reduction of tax revenue of about 4.3 to 5 trillion yen per year. The government's debt level has already reached 1346 trillion yen. At the same time, market expectations are that the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates. The tax cut policy and the interest rate hike policy may exacerbate fiscal difficulties.
