TOKYO: Japan's prime minister appointed experienced conservatives to top cabinet and ruling party posts yesterday in a reshuffle aimed at bolstering support following a crushing defeat in elections last month.

Support for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has plunged in recent months over a spate of gaffes and scandals involving key ministers, culminating in a humiliating setback in parliamentary polls on July 29.

Abe, who took office in September, was under pressure to appoint capable, scandal-free ministers and give his government a greater air of authority.

"The members of my new cabinet and I are determined to do our best to win back the public's trust," Abe said after the new ministers were officially sworn in by Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace.

Abe's lineup included veteran Nobutaka Machimura, 62, who becomes foreign minister, a post he held under Junichiro Koizumi, Abe's predecessor.

Former justice and foreign minister Masahiko Komura, 65, returned as defense chief.

Liu Jiangyong, a professor at Tsinghua University, said Komura was known for his work as president of the Japan-China Friendship Association.

"It forebodes a good start for Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan's scheduled visit to Japan from August 29 to September 6," Liu said.

The meeting will be the first between the two nations' defense chiefs in nine years.

Liu brushed aside concerns about negative effects on Sino-Japanese relations.

"Though Machimura was foreign minister in Koizumi's cabinet, he has to share Abe's goal of improving relations with China in the new cabinet," Liu said.

Newly appointed Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano - also a ruling party heavyweight - told a news conference after announcing the new cabinet: "I believe Prime Minister Abe made appointments of those who can firmly assume their expected duties.

"I don't believe there is any magical way to immediately restore support to the Cabinet, but I hope to make steady efforts to strengthen government accountability," Yosano said.

Both Machimura and Komura fit easily with Abe's right-leaning, pro-US government.

"The US-Japan relationship remains the cornerstone of our foreign policy," Machimura told reporters after his appointment. He added he would work to extend Japan's mission to refuel coalition warships in the Indian Ocean to support US-led efforts in Afghanistan.

Fukushiro Nukaga, 63, a former defense minister and supporter of a joint missile defense with the United States, was appointed to lead the Finance Ministry. He replaces Koji Omi.

Abe also made key changes in the leadership of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party, moving his conservative foreign minister, Taro Aso, to LDP secretary-general, the No 2 post. He also filled two other top LDP posts in a bid to rejuvenate the troubled ruling party.

Abe's government has been riddled with scandals and missteps. Three of Abe's ministers have been forced to resign, and one committed suicide amid a money scandal.

Agencies - China Daily

(China Daily 08/28/2007 page1)