Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's choice of ministers for foreign diplomacy and security reflects an emphasis on fence-mending in his party rather than plans to address imminent diplomatic challenges, analysts said Friday.
The appointment of Koichiro Genba as foreign minister and Yasuo Ichikawa as defense minister drew criticism from pundits concerned about Japan's weakening global presence amid the rapidly changing international environment.
Genba, a sixth-term Lower House lawmaker who previously served as state minister for science and technology, has little known experience in diplomacy but backed Noda during the Democratic Party of Japan presidential election.