ID :
206701
Mon, 09/12/2011 - 18:42
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/206701
The shortlink copeid
Ex-Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano tapped as new industry minister
TOKYO, Sept. 12 Kyodo -
Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano will be the new industry minister, the government said Monday, in a swift move by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to deal with damage caused by the verbal gaffe of one of his Cabinet members.
Edano, 47, will replace Yoshio Hachiro, who resigned Saturday after making remarks deemed insensitive to people affected by the Fukushima nuclear crisis, top government spokesman Osamu Fujimura said in a news conference.
Hachiro quit only eight days after assuming the industry minister's post and his departure is seen as an early setback for Noda's administration.
Edano will concurrently serve as minister in charge of dealing with economic damage arising from the ongoing nuclear crisis, which was triggered by the twin disasters.
Fujimura, Edano's successor as chief cabinet secretary, said Edano was appointed because he is someone who is ''ready to step in and do a good job'' and had been deeply involved in reconstruction efforts following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and in the ongoing nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.
The industry ministry faces a number of urgent tasks, including issues related to compensating those affected by the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant and reviewing the nation's energy policy.
Hachiro resigned Saturday after calling areas near the crippled nuclear power plant a ''town of death'' at a press conference Friday and making a joking remark earlier in the presence of reporters about radiation leaks from the plant.
His remarks drew criticism from opposition lawmakers and even his own Democratic Party of Japan, prompting Hachiro to tender his resignation to Noda on Saturday night.
Soon after Hachiro's resignation, Noda appointed Fujimura as acting economy, trade and industry minister. But the prime minister was in a hurry to find a permanent replacement for Hachiro given the start on Tuesday of an extraordinary Diet session.
Edano will hold a news conference later in the day after the attestation ceremony at the Imperial Palace.
Edano is serving his sixth term as a House of Representatives lawmaker. He had previously worked as the DPJ's policy chief and government revitalization minister.
Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano will be the new industry minister, the government said Monday, in a swift move by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to deal with damage caused by the verbal gaffe of one of his Cabinet members.
Edano, 47, will replace Yoshio Hachiro, who resigned Saturday after making remarks deemed insensitive to people affected by the Fukushima nuclear crisis, top government spokesman Osamu Fujimura said in a news conference.
Hachiro quit only eight days after assuming the industry minister's post and his departure is seen as an early setback for Noda's administration.
Edano will concurrently serve as minister in charge of dealing with economic damage arising from the ongoing nuclear crisis, which was triggered by the twin disasters.
Fujimura, Edano's successor as chief cabinet secretary, said Edano was appointed because he is someone who is ''ready to step in and do a good job'' and had been deeply involved in reconstruction efforts following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and in the ongoing nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.
The industry ministry faces a number of urgent tasks, including issues related to compensating those affected by the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant and reviewing the nation's energy policy.
Hachiro resigned Saturday after calling areas near the crippled nuclear power plant a ''town of death'' at a press conference Friday and making a joking remark earlier in the presence of reporters about radiation leaks from the plant.
His remarks drew criticism from opposition lawmakers and even his own Democratic Party of Japan, prompting Hachiro to tender his resignation to Noda on Saturday night.
Soon after Hachiro's resignation, Noda appointed Fujimura as acting economy, trade and industry minister. But the prime minister was in a hurry to find a permanent replacement for Hachiro given the start on Tuesday of an extraordinary Diet session.
Edano will hold a news conference later in the day after the attestation ceremony at the Imperial Palace.
Edano is serving his sixth term as a House of Representatives lawmaker. He had previously worked as the DPJ's policy chief and government revitalization minister.
