Maehara named new Japanese foreign minister as prime minister shuffles Cabinet

Japan gets new foreign minister in Cabinet shuffle

TOKYO — Seiji Maehara, a security expert and former transport minister, has been named Japan’s new foreign minister.

Maehara, 48, will replace Katsuya Okada, who will take up the No. 2 post in the ruling Democratic Party of Japan.

The Cabinet shuffle took place after Prime Minister Naoto Kan a leadership challenge earlier this week.

Maehara must address a diplomatic spat with China over a boat collision near some disputed islands in the East China Sea claimed by both countries, as well as the nettlesome problem over the relocation of a controversial U.S. Marine base on Okinawa.