Japan PM reshuffles cabinet, promises 'drastic' measures

Japan's prime minister promised "drastic" economic measures on Wednesday after reshuffling his cabinet and increasing the number of female ministers in an effort to boost his flagging popularity. 

Kishida said that he will order his new cabinet to form a "drastic" economic package to address the impact of rising prices.He stuck with his economic team in the reshuffle, with Shunichi Suzuki staying as finance minister and Yasutoshi Nishimura still in charge of economy and industry.

But the overhaul saw Yoko Kamikawa, a 70-year-old former justice minister, named Japan's first female foreign minister since 2004.  Minoru Kihara, 54, became defence minister, just as Japan beefs up its military to face a rising threat from North Korea.