Premier Names 2 Predecessors to Japan’s New, Streamlined Cabinet

Hoping to give his government a renewed sense of legitimacy, Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori named a new Cabinet on Tuesday that includes two former premiers and reduced the number of posts.

But with his popularity plummeting--it has been below 20% in recent polls--and deep divisions in his Liberal Democratic Party, doubts remained over Mori’s ability to lead the nation. Two weeks ago, he barely survived a no-confidence motion.

In an unprecedented move, Mori assigned key posts to former prime ministers Kiichi Miyazawa and Ryutaro Hashimoto, who have legions of loyal followers in parliament.

Mori said the former premiers will deal with economic recovery and government reform. Miyazawa will tackle the economy; Hashimoto will be the minister overseeing administrative reform.

Mori retained several ministers, including Miyazawa as finance minister and Foreign Minister Yohei Kono.

“I have assembled a sufficiently powerful crew to ride out the new era,” Mori said. “It is a Cabinet of action and responsibility.”

Mori pledged to work hard to win public support. He stressed that his new Cabinet is gearing up for a streamlined government. It was under Hashimoto’s premiership last year that plans were made to reduce ministries and government agencies to 13 beginning next month.