時事新聞:日本首相改組內閣
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.
日本首相野田佳彥進行了他去年上任以來的第三次內閣改組，以圖在預計將舉行的選舉前提升對政府的支持。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.
野田佳彥星期一宣佈了新內閣的組成。他說，這將有助於政府和執政黨共同解決國內和外交上的問題。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.
野田推動把日本的銷售稅增加一倍，公衆對野田政府的支持度下跌。日本和中國正圍繞東中國海上一些島嶼的主權而捲入外交糾紛。
The Cabinet shakeup includes new ministers of finance, national policy and education. The country's foreign minister and defense minister are keeping their jobs.
日本內閣改組包括更換財務相、國家戰略擔當相和文部科學相。外相和防衛相留任。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."
日本一年內必須舉行大選，但是野田首相只是說，大選將在近期舉行。Last week, Japan's main opposition Liberal Democratic Party elected former prime minister Shinzo Abe as its president.
上星期，日本主要反對黨自民黨選舉前首相安倍晉三爲幹事長。He abruptly left office in 2007 citing a stomach illness, following a significant election defeat.
安倍在2007年的重要選舉失利後，馬上以胃病爲原因，辭去首相職務。Opinion polls suggest Mr. Abe's party would have the edge in a general election, but would also need a coalition partner.
民意測驗顯示，安倍晉三的自民黨可能會在大選中贏得多數，但是需要同其他政黨聯盟才能組建聯合政府。
