Top Japan post for woman with links to China
Source: AFP |
October 2, 2012, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
Japan's unpopular prime minister reshuffled his Cabinet yesterday, picking a woman with China-friendly credentials as education minister in what commentators said signaled his hope to move past a damaging territorial row.
Yoshihiko Noda named the relatively unknown Koriki Jojima as finance minister but kept several key positions unchanged.
Noda, whose Democratic Party of Japan governs in coalition with a smaller grouping, said the changes would boost his government. "This is a reshuffle that will help the government and the ruling parties cooperate to address a number of issues we are facing domestically and diplomatically and further strengthen the function of the cabinet."
Makiko Tanaka's job has little directly to do with China, but commentators say her appointment is an attempt to signal Noda's willingness to heal diplomatic wounds. Japan and China have clashed repeatedly over the past few months over the Diaoyu Islands.
Tanaka is the daughter of former prime minister Kakuei Tanaka, who normalized diplomatic ties with China 40 years ago last Saturday, and has warm links with China.
Noda denied her appointment had anything to do with the island spat.
However, Takehiko Yamamoto, professor of international politics at Waseda University, said there was no doubt her appointment was intended as diplomatic balm.
"This is clearly a signal and message to China, no matter what the prime minister says," he said.
Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba and defense chief Satoshi Morimoto remain in post and party heavyweight Seiji Maehara is brought in to oversee national strategy, covering everything from fiscal policy to space matters.
Commentators said Jojima's appointment was a strategic move by a prime minister who may soon find his legislative program hemmed in by opposition threats to stymie parliament, including blocking a key finance bill.
Mikitaka Masuyama, professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, said Jojima was a respected negotiator.
"Unless the bill for special bond issuance passes, the government's coffers will be empty," he said, adding that Jojima had wide experience of navigating parliament's labyrinthine party system.
Yoshihiko Noda named the relatively unknown Koriki Jojima as finance minister but kept several key positions unchanged.
Noda, whose Democratic Party of Japan governs in coalition with a smaller grouping, said the changes would boost his government. "This is a reshuffle that will help the government and the ruling parties cooperate to address a number of issues we are facing domestically and diplomatically and further strengthen the function of the cabinet."
Makiko Tanaka's job has little directly to do with China, but commentators say her appointment is an attempt to signal Noda's willingness to heal diplomatic wounds. Japan and China have clashed repeatedly over the past few months over the Diaoyu Islands.
Tanaka is the daughter of former prime minister Kakuei Tanaka, who normalized diplomatic ties with China 40 years ago last Saturday, and has warm links with China.
Noda denied her appointment had anything to do with the island spat.
However, Takehiko Yamamoto, professor of international politics at Waseda University, said there was no doubt her appointment was intended as diplomatic balm.
"This is clearly a signal and message to China, no matter what the prime minister says," he said.
Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba and defense chief Satoshi Morimoto remain in post and party heavyweight Seiji Maehara is brought in to oversee national strategy, covering everything from fiscal policy to space matters.
Commentators said Jojima's appointment was a strategic move by a prime minister who may soon find his legislative program hemmed in by opposition threats to stymie parliament, including blocking a key finance bill.
Mikitaka Masuyama, professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, said Jojima was a respected negotiator.
"Unless the bill for special bond issuance passes, the government's coffers will be empty," he said, adding that Jojima had wide experience of navigating parliament's labyrinthine party system.
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