日本首相改组内阁

Japan\'s prime minister has reshuffled his Cabinet for a third time since taking office last year as he tries to boost support for the government ahead of expected elections.

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda announced the new lineup Monday, saying it will help the government and the ruling party work together to address domestic and diplomatic issues.

Public support for his government has fallen as the prime minister pushed to double the country\'s sales tax.  Japan is also locked in a diplomatic dispute with China over ownership of islands in the East China Sea.

The Cabinet shakeup includes new ministers of finance, national policy and education.  The country\'s foreign minister and defense minister are keeping their jobs.

Japan must hold a general election within a year, but Prime Minister Noda has said only that it will take place "in the near term."

Last week, Japan\'s main opposition Liberal Democratic Party elected former prime minister Shinzo Abe as its president.

He abruptly left office in 2007 citing a stomach illness, following a significant election defeat.

Opinion polls suggest Mr. Abe\'s party would have the edge in a general election, but would also need a coalition partner.

野田佳彦星期一宣布了新内阁的组成。他说，这将有助于政府和执政党共同解决国内和外交上的问题。

野田推动把日本的销售税增加一倍，公众对野田政府的支持度下跌。日本和中国正围绕东中国海上一些岛屿的主权而卷入外交纠纷。

日本内阁改组包括更换财务相、国家战略担当相和文部科学相。外相和防卫相留任。

日本一年内必须举行大选，但是野田首相只是说，大选将在近期举行。

上星期，日本主要反对党自民党选举前首相安倍晋三为干事长。安倍在2007年的重要选举失利后，马上以胃病为原因，辞去首相职务。

民意测验显示，安倍晋三的自民党可能会在大选中赢得多数，但是需要同其他政党联盟才能组建联合政府。