Masahiko Komura, defence minister under Mr Abe, becomes foreign minister, a post he has held before, while the able Shigeru Ishiba returns to defence.

• 有过外相经验的高村正彦，安倍手下的防卫大臣，转任外务大臣。由曾任防卫厅长官的能干的石破茂出任防卫大臣。