Japanese PM reshuffles cabinet after election defeat

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Source: CCTV.com | 08-28-2007 08:31

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) and his newly appointed ministers walk on stair to take official group photo at the premier's official residence in Tokyo, August 27, 2007. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has reshuffled his cabinet with a new line up placing conservative old-timers in top posts. New Chief Cabinet Secretary Ka-oru Yosano announced the new line up Monday. The move is seen as an attempt to win back voter confidence following last month's key election setback.

Yosano explained Abe's reasons for choosing veterans.

Yosano said, "I believe that the Prime Minister has decided that the new cabinet members need to have political experience and a breadth of knowledge and wisdom in order to work properly in his new cabinet."

Nobutaka Machimura has been tapped for foreign minister. The former foreign and education minister shares Abe's goal of winning Japan a bigger say in global affairs.

Former defense minister Fukushiro Nukaga is the new finance minister. A security expert and one-time contender to become premier, Nukaga has also been economics minister.

Former foreign minister Masahiko Komura, who is known for his ability to avoid creating waves, will take over as defense minister. He replaces Yuriko Koike, who last month became the country's first woman to hold the post. Japan's defense ministry was upgraded from an agency some eight months ago.

Abe convened a meeting of outgoing ministers Monday afternoon, where they submitted their resignations.

The party leadership revamping and Cabinet reshuffle are both seen as the premier's efforts to regain public trust following his ruling party's failure to retain majority in the House of Councilors in July's election.

Editor:Du Xiaodan