Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is dealing with the fallout from a political money scandal. It involves a party faction once led by one of Kishida's predecessors, the late Abe Shinzo. Kishida is trying to find a way ahead, and as part of that, he has replaced four members of his cabinet.

The new ministers went to the Imperial Palace Thursday evening to be ceremonially endorsed by Emperor Naruhito. They have officially taken office.

Hayashi Yoshimasa is now chief cabinet secretary. That means he is also the government's top spokesperson.

Saito Ken is the minister for economy, trade and industry.

Matsumoto Takeaki is the minister for internal affairs and communications.

Sakamoto Tetsushi is the minister for agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

The reshuffle comes during an investigation by prosecutors. Their focus is the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The investigators suspect the offices of party members in a faction named after Abe did not report kickbacks from sales of fundraiser tickets.

Prime Minister Kishida has been promising to try to regain public trust.

Some senior officials in the Liberal Democratic Party are also on the way out. Policy chief Hagiuda Koichi, diet affairs chief Takagi Tsuyoshi and secretary-general for the Upper House Seko Hiroshige have submitted their resignations.

They all belong to the Abe faction. Prime Minister Kishida says he will appoint replacements as early as the end of next week.