TOKYO - Several senior officials are being replaced in a shakeup Japan hopes will strengthen its ability to solve the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear crisis amid allegations the government tried to manipulate public opinion.

Trade and industry minister Banri Kaieda said Thursday that the shakeup will involve three senior officials - the head of the Energy Agency, the head of the Nuclear Industrial Safety Agency and a vice minister at the trade and industry ministry.

Japan's post-tsunami handling of the nuclear crisis has been hit by scandals over allegations the government was too friendly with the nuclear industry and tried to secretly manipulate public discussions in favor of nuclear power at several seminars.

The shakeup was seen as an attempt to calm that uproar.