PM names new industry minister

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda named former top government spokesman Yukio Edano as the new industry minister, local media said on Monday, aiming to limit the damage to his new cabinet after the previous minister quit over gaffes.

Edano, 47, a lawyer turned politician, will replace Yoshio Hachiro, who resigned on Saturday after making controversial remarks deemed insensitive to people affected by the Fukushima nuclear crisis, Kyodo News said.

Soon after Hachiro's resignation, Noda appointed current Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura as acting Economy, Trade and Industry Minister.