Shinzo's shuffle

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to reshuffle his cabinet on Monday.

Some of the appointments Abe has made since coming to power last September have backfired with ministerial resignations and a suicide helping to dent his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) at the upper house elections at the end of last month.  He needs to make a clean sweep and convince the public that he is choosing his colleagues on their individual merit and not for political or personal reasons.

Many in the LDP will think they stand a chance of selection, and those who are disappointed could turn against a weak Abe.  Having failed his party at the first major electoral hurdle, he needs to convince the LDP that he is the man to lead them to the polls again.  If he appoints his cabinet on merit, he may find he is bringing the odd cuckoo into his nest, strong on ambition and weak on loyalty. They will be looking to the succession, and may want it to come sooner rather than later.