TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan will have to reshuffle his cabinet before the legislature opens this month, a ruling party official said on Sunday, in the clearest signal yet of a shake-up aimed at improving the government's approval ratings.

Japanese media said the reshuffle could take place on Jan 17 and Kan may remove Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku following his censure in the upper house over handling of fraying ties with China last year.

The move to remove Sengoku, who is the de facto No 2 in the government, could placate the opposition and help clear the passage of bills in a divided parliament.