Fukuda to decide on Cabinet reshuffle

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said he would decide whether to reshuffle his cabinet at a meeting with his coalition partner today, as speculation grows that he plans changes to boost his ratings and try to keep his job.

But a new line-up was unlikely to answer key questions, including the timing of Japan's next general election and the course of policy as the global credit crisis hits the economy.

"I will hold a leaders' meeting on Friday, and discuss various things," Fukuda said yesterday.