The most notable changes in the September 13 cabinet reshuffle were the replacement of Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi with Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada with Minoru Kihara.

The new faces suggest Prime Minister Fumio Kishida seeks to take a tougher stance toward China at a time of escalating tensions over the Taiwan Strait. Research Director Sota Kato told the Straits Times, “Both are more hawkish than their predecessors, though it will take some time for them to show their unique colours.”

“Japan PM Kishida Leans Closer to Taiwan with Hawkish Cabinet Picks,” Straits Times
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/japan-pm-kishida-leans-closer-to-taiwan-with-hawkish-cabinet-picks

Profile of Research Director Sota Kato
https://www.tkfd.or.jp/en/experts/detail.php?id=29