TOKYO, October 21 (RIA Novosti) - Emperor Akihito on Tuesday approved the appointment of two new members of the Japanese government, a minister of justice and a trade minister.
Yoichi Miyazawa will replace Trade and Industry Minister Yuko Obuchi who resigned on Monday following allegations that her staff had misused thousands of dollars of campaign funds, Kyodo news agency reported.
Yoko Kawakami was named as the new Justice Minister. Midori Matsushima quit the post also on Monday after being accused by the opposition of violating electoral laws by distributing free paper fans to voters.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe apologized to the nation for appointing Obuchi and Matsushima, who were the first Cabinet members to step down since Abe took office in December 2012.