Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced Friday a new Cabinet following his re-election as president of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ).
In his new team, whose members are to be sworn in by the Emperor later in the day, Kan effectively stamped his authority, sidelining his vanquished party rival, Ichiro Ozawa.
The proposed reshuffle, aimed at boosting public support for the ministry, was announced by Yoshito Sengoku, Chief Cabinet Secretary, after the incumbent ministers submitted their resignations to Kan earlier in the day.
Kan retained Yoshihiko Noda in the key post of Finance Minister, as also Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa, Financial Services Minister Shozaburo Jimi and Government Revitalization Minister Renho, who will also be the Minister for Administrative Reforms.
In a sweeping change, he inducted new members to several ministries, including justice, trade, education, health, agriculture, tourism and consumer affairs.
Akihiro Ohata will serve as Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, while Seiji Maehara is the new Foreign Minister, succeeding Katsuya Okada, who was appointed DPJ secretary-general.
Banri Kaieda will assume the post of Minister for Economic and Fiscal Policy while Sumio Mabuchi will be promoted as Transport Minister.
Koichiro Gemba will be Minister for National Policy, in addition to his current post as chair of the DPJ's Policy Research Committee.
Yoshihiro Katayama, a professor of Keio University and former governor of Tottori Prefecture, will be the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications.
Kan was re-elected Tuesday as leader of the ruling DPJ and retained the prime ministership after defeating a party leadership challenge from Ozawa. He took office in June on a pledge to rein in spending and curb the country's massive public debt.
However, Kan faces an uphill task in Parliament as his party does not command a majority in the upper house.
by RTT Staff Writer
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com