FOCUS: Takaichi's Cabinet reshuffle fires starting gun for ruling LDP leader race

TOKYO - Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Cabinet reshuffle Thursday set the stage for next year's race for the presidency of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, with a potential rival, Yoshimasa Hayashi, leaving his internal affairs minister's post and the government.

Takaichi has retained many influential figures in key posts in an apparent effort to solidify her power base with an eye to the next LDP leadership election, in which she is expected to seek another term. Hayashi, however, was the exception.