TOKYO, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Shotaro Yachi, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's national security advisor, will likely retire when the Cabinet is reshuffled next week, sources with knowledge of the matter said Monday.
According to the sources, Shigeru Kitamura, 62, Japan's top intelligence officer, may be tapped to replace Yachi, 75, a former top Foreign Ministry official, in a reshuffle slated for Sept. 10 or 12, the sources said.
Yachi became the first head of the secretariat for the National Security Council, which was launched in January 2014. Kitamura, meanwhile, has headed the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office since 2011, and was a former secretary to Abe.
Abe said Monday he intends to reshuffle his Cabinet next week, with a major revamp expected, although he will likely retain his closest aides.
Following a liaison meeting of the government and the ruling coalition parties on Monday, the prime minister, who also heads the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is expected to carry out the reshuffle on Sept. 10 or 12, sources said.
Sources close to the matter also said the lineup of LDP executives will also be changed, possibly on Sept. 10.
"I'd like to choose a lineup that can ensure both stability and takes on new challenges," Abe said at the meeting.
The prime minister is widely expected to retain his close allies Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga and Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, who doubles as finance minister, in their current roles.
As for big names that might be on the move, Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai, who has held his position for over three years, and economic revitalization minister Toshimitsu Motegi could find themselves posted to different positions.
Some sources close to the matter also believe that LDP policy chief Fumio Kishida may also be reassigned, while Shinjiro Koizumi, son of former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, could be in the running for a Cabinet position, sources have said.
Abe, who previously reshuffled his Cabinet and LDP executives in October 2018, said at the meeting he intends to respond to the strong public support shown in July's upper house election and to carry out all the policies he has promised.
