Japan's Abe to pick MP Kishida as FM
Updated: 2012-12-25 13:16
(Agencies)
|
|||||||||||
TOKYO - Incoming Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will appoint lower house lawmaker Fumio Kishida to the key post of foreign minister, Kyodo news agency reported on Tuesday, as the government seeks to balance a bolder diplomatic stance with the need to repair frayed ties with China and South Korea.
The hawkish Abe must balance the need to stabilise relations with key trade partner Beijing and US ally Seoul - which have been strained by rows over territory and wartime history - while bolstering Tokyo's alliance with Washington.
Kishida, 55, entered politics after working at the now-defunct Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan and previously served as a state minister in charge of Okinawa-related issues in Abe's first 2006-2007 cabinet. Previous media reports had said Abe might tap former Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi for the post.
Abe will formally take office on Wednesday and is expected to quickly form his new cabinet following his Liberal Democratic Party's Dec 16 landslide election win.
Related Stories
Park shuns Abe’s early gesture to thaw relations 2012-12-24 09:51
Abe vows to improve Sino-Japanese ties 2012-12-22 15:26
Abe eyes 'joint conference' to overcome deflation 2012-12-21 11:07
Abe says to step up contact with Park 2012-12-20 10:54
Abe heading for January talks with Obama 2012-12-19 10:20
Today's Top News
President Xi confident in recovery from quake
H7N9 update: 104 cases, 21 deaths
Telecom workers restore links
Coal mine blast kills 18 in Jilin
Intl scholarship puts China on the map
More bird flu patients discharged
Gold loses sheen, but still a safe bet
US 'turns blind eye to human rights'
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
All-out efforts to save lives |
Liaoning: China's oceangoing giant |
Poultry industry under pressure |
'Spring' in the air for NGOs? |
Boy set to drive Chinese golf |
Latest technology gets people talking |