Cabinet ministers Yuko Obuchi and Midori Matsushima resigned Monday in connection with separate political scandals, dealing a major setback to the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Later in the day Abe named their replacements. They are Yoichi Miyazawa, appointed minister of economy, trade and industry, and Yoko Kamikawa, who becomes justice minister.

Miyazawa is an Upper House member from the Liberal Democratic Party and a former official in the Finance Ministry. He is a nephew of the late Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa, a noted financial expert.