Takaichi appoints new farm minister as she seeks to minimize scandal impact

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday appointed Arata Takebe as her new farm minister, seeking to minimize disruption to her governing agenda following the effective dismissal of scandal-hit lawmaker Kazuo Yana from the post a day earlier.

Takaichi cited the former senior vice farm minister's policy expertise and parliamentary experience in making the selection. The appointment comes as the government seeks to advance its legislative agenda, including passage of a bill to temporarily cut the consumption tax, during the 69-day extraordinary Diet session through Dec. 12.