New Japanese finance minister seen sticking to policy line
News On Japan via Reuters -- Oct 01
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda appointed as finance minister on Monday a veteran lawmaker expected to follow his line on budget reform and currency intervention in a new cabinet unveiled ahead of an election due in months.
Koriki Jojima, 65, who served as the parliamentary affairs chief for the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), will take charge of the world's third largest economy as it teeters on the brink of recession, hurt by a global slowdown and a strong yen.
Noda, who took office in September 2011 as the Democrats' third prime minister in as many years, had changed his cabinet line-up twice before. The third reshuffle is seen as a last-ditch effort to boost the Democrats' sagging ratings.
Analysts said neither Jojima nor the other nine new ministers would have much impact on government policy, with the shake-up mainly designed to give those with greatest voter appeal more prominent roles within the party or cabinet.
Source: Reuters
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