Taro Aso to be reappointed Japan's foreign minister

TOKYO, Sep 26: Taro Aso will be reappointed Japan's foreign minister in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's new government, national broadcaster NHK said today.

Abe will announce his cabinet choices later in the day.

Aso, 66, will face the task of rebuilding ties with China and South Korea frayed by outgoing Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's annual visits to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, seen by many as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.

Aso echoed Abe's policy proposals in his failed campaign to become LDP president. A staunch defender of Japan's males-only imperial succession tradition, Aso has offended China and South Korea with remarks about Japan's wartime record in Asia but has recently been involved in diplomatic efforts to repair ties.

Fumio Kyuma, a 65-year-old party veteran and former defence chief, will be appointed defence minister, broadcaster TBS said earlier.

Reuters