Edano takes over at METI

Monday, 12 September 2011 Japanese prime minister Yoshihiko Noda has announced the appointment of Yukio Edano as minister for trade and industry. He replaces Yoshio Hachiro, who resigned after only eight days at the helm of the Ministry for Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) following insensitive comments and jokes made to reporters while visiting the area affected by the Fukushima nuclear accident. Edano was chief cabinet secretary under Japan's previous prime minister, Naoto Kan, and is well versed in nuclear issues having acted as the government's chief spokesman during the crisis at the nuclear plant.