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Japan PM set to name new cabinet Japan PM Kan unveils new cabinet
(about 6 hours later)
Naoto Kan previously served as deputy PM and finance ministerNaoto Kan previously served as deputy PM and finance minister
Japan's new Prime Minister Naoto Kan is due to name his cabinet and be formally sworn in by Emperor Akihito. Japan's new Prime Minister Naoto Kan has named his cabinet and is due to be formally sworn in by Emperor Akihito.
As expected, he chose his former deputy Yoshihiko Noda to replace him as finance minister, while the foreign and defence ministers remain in office.
Mr Kan was elected prime minister by lawmakers on Friday, two days after the abrupt resignation of Yukio Hatoyama.Mr Kan was elected prime minister by lawmakers on Friday, two days after the abrupt resignation of Yukio Hatoyama.
The former PM stepped down amid tensions over a controversial US military base on the island of Okinawa. Mr Hatoyama stepped down amid tensions over a controversial US military base on the island of Okinawa.
Mr Kan has assured President Barack Obama that he will relocate the base, as agreed, despite anger from locals who want it moved off Okinawa entirely.Mr Kan has assured President Barack Obama that he will relocate the base, as agreed, despite anger from locals who want it moved off Okinawa entirely.
Despite the unpopular move, Mr Kan enjoys poll ratings above 60% as his Democratic Party (DPJ) faces an election for the upper house next month.Despite the unpopular move, Mr Kan enjoys poll ratings above 60% as his Democratic Party (DPJ) faces an election for the upper house next month.
Traditional ceremonyTraditional ceremony
Japanese newspapers have welcomed the "son of a salary man" to the post of prime minister, contrasting his ordinary background to the privileged roots of recent prime ministers. As had been widely expected, Mr Kan has retained many top ministers in his cabinet, including Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Defence Minister Toshimi Kitazawa.
Mr Noda, his former deputy finance minister and a fiscal conservative, will head the finance ministry.
The BBC's Roland Buerk in Tokyo says Mr Okada's main task will be to repair ties with the US, damaged by the lengthy deliberations over the future of Okinawa.
Mr Noda has already said he will rein in Japan's borrowing - the country has the largest debt in the industrialised world.
Among the new faces in the cabinet is Renho, a popular television presenter who goes by one name.
The 42-year-old, known for her tough questioning of bureaucrats in debates over public spending, has been appointed minister of administrative reform.
Announcing the appointments, Yoshito Sengoku, the new chief cabinet secretary, said the ministers were "young, fresh and enthusiastic about their jobs".
"Prime Minister Kan has appointed the ministers mindful of the need to form a government with professionalism, very clean politics and ability to govern," he said.
Mr Kan, who previously served as finance minister and deputy prime minister, is expected to gather his cabinet for its first meeting on Tuesday morning.Mr Kan, who previously served as finance minister and deputy prime minister, is expected to gather his cabinet for its first meeting on Tuesday morning.
In keeping with tradition, ministers will don ceremonial tuxedos and go to the emperor's palace in central Tokyo to be formally sworn in.In keeping with tradition, ministers will don ceremonial tuxedos and go to the emperor's palace in central Tokyo to be formally sworn in.
Mr Kan is expected to retain many top ministers in his cabinet, including Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and Defence Minister Toshimi Kitazawa. Japanese newspapers have welcomed the "son of a salary man" to the post of prime minister, contrasting his ordinary background to the privileged roots of recent prime ministers.
Yoshihiko Noda, his former deputy finance minister, is tipped to head the finance ministry.
On Monday, Mr Kan reshuffled the DJP party leadership.On Monday, Mr Kan reshuffled the DJP party leadership.
He announced that Yukio Edano would take over as secretary general of the party, replacing the powerful Ichiro Ozawa, who stepped down last week.He announced that Yukio Edano would take over as secretary general of the party, replacing the powerful Ichiro Ozawa, who stepped down last week.
Shinji Tarutoko, who challenged Mr Kan for the leadership, was named the DPJ's parliamentary affairs chief.Shinji Tarutoko, who challenged Mr Kan for the leadership, was named the DPJ's parliamentary affairs chief.