Abe keeps 'firm foundation' as key ministers retain cabinet posts

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe retained key ministers in a Cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday in the hope of maintaining the "firm foundation" as he pushes for his long-cherished goal of revising Japan's pacifist Constitution.

Abe kept Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, who doubles as finance minister. These are the lawmakers Abe described as the "firm foundation" of his cabinet.

Still, the Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko and Economic Revitalization Minister Toshimitsu Motegi have kept their jobs. Abe also let Keiichi Ishii from the Komeito party, the LDP's junior coalition partner, stay as land, infrastructure, transport and tourism minister.