(VOVworld) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe retained close allies in key posts in a cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday, as he refocuses on the economy after enacting divisive security legislation that dented his popularity.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (Photo: Reuters)

Nine of the 19 cabinet members kept their portfolios, including Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, Finance Minister Taro Aso and Economics Minister Akira Amari, Defence Minister General Nakatani and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. In this cabinet reshuffle, Mr. Abe appointed a new Minister in charge of social improvement issues. Katsunobu Kato, a deputy chief cabinet secretary, was appointed to the post. In New Komeito Party, Keiichi Ishii will replace Akihiro Ota as transport minister, the party's only cabinet post.