(My latest for JDW) Japanese PM replaces defence minister

Japanese PM replaces defence minister

Kosuke Takahashi JDW Correspondent
Tokyo

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda sacked Yasuo Ichikawa as defence minister on 13 January after a series of gaffes led to his censure in Japan's upper house.

Noda appointed veteran lawmaker Naoki Tanaka to replace Ichikawa as part of a wider Cabinet reshuffle. Tanaka, 71, is expected to draw on his experience as chairman of the committee on foreign affairs and defence in the House of Councillors and as a parliamentary vice-minister for foreign affairs in addressing defence issues such as the deadlocked relocation of the US' Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma in Okinawa.

Noda told reporters that Tanaka's "abundant political experience" was the key factor in his appointment. Outside policy circles, Tanaka is best known as the husband of Makiko Tanaka, a former foreign minister and the daughter of former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka.     

Ichikawa was censured in the opposition-controlled House of Councillors on 9 December after he made a series of gaffes, including one relating to the 1995 rape of a 12-year-old girl by three US servicemen in Okinawa.

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