Japanese newly-elected Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda formed the Cabinet later on Tuesday. He retained most of the Cabinet ministers left by his predecessor Shinzo Abe.

 

Fukuda made changes to the three crucial posts in the administration. Former Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura was transferred to be chief Cabinet secretary, leaving the post to former Defense Minister Masahiko Komura. Former Defense Agency Director General Shigeru Ishiba was appointed defense minister.

 

As for the other 14 posts, 13 ministers retained their titles. Kisaburo Tokai entered the Cabinet for the first time and was named education minister.

 

Fukuda left the lineup of the former Cabinet almost unchanged because of several reasons. Firstly, the extraordinary Diet session is under way. Secondly, he needs a matured team to deal with imminent challenges. Thirdly, the abrupt resignation of Abe allowed Fukuda no enough time to think about personnel arrangements.

 

At his first press conference as chief Cabinet secretary, Machimura said the new prime minister made "the minimum adjustment" to the former Cabinet since many bills would be deliberated at the ongoing extraordinary Diet session.

 

The top government spokesman said the new Cabinet has the resolution to go through the difficulties in the Diet session.

 

The road in front of the new administration is full of hardship. The most urgent task will be resolving the political deadlock with the opposition camp on the extension of the anti-terrorism law to prolong Japan's refueling mission for US-led military operations in and around the Indian Ocean.

 

To regain public trust in politics after a series of financial scandals involving high-level officials and to lessen the social and economic gap between urban and rural areas are both tricky tasks facing Fukuda.

 

Japanese media believed that the new Cabinet will be capable of tackling the tough situation since Fukuda himself is proficient at crisis management and most of his ministers are political veterans with abundant experience.

 

As president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Fukuda is also responsible for leading his 17 ministers, 16 of which are LDP members, to drag the party out of quagmire and restore people's trust in its ruling coalition with the minor Komeito Party.

 

Under fluffy slogans, such as "building a beautiful nation," the Abe administration witnessed a decreasing public support rate, which finally led to the LDP's crushing defeat in July's upper house election. The Fukuda Cabinet has been told by the experience of his predecessor to be practical.

 

At the press conference following his appointment as the LDP president, Fukuda vowed to make all efforts to strengthen the LDP and improve its ability to implement the policies.

 

Analysts here pointed out that it is critical for Fukuda to prevent any mistakes from happening in his Cabinet. More errors detected by the opposition bloc could further tarnish the LDP and even drive the party out of power.

 

Fukuda accumulated much experience during his terms as chief Cabinet secretary under two former prime ministers and was well-known for his coordination skills. He expressed his sincerity to hold talks with the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) on a variety of issues since he understood that the DPJ will turn up heat against his team. Between the skills of Fukuda and the resistance of the DPJ, it is still early to tell which will prevail.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 26, 2007)