TOKYO, March 9 (UPI) -- Takeaki Matsumoto Wednesday was named Japan's foreign minister, succeeding Seiji Maehara, who resigned over a political donation controversy.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan had decided to elevate Matsumoto, currently the state foreign secretary, to his new post, and Wednesday's announcement was made by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano, Kyodo News reported.
Maehara, who had held the post since September, quit because of a scandal stemming from a political donation from a foreigner, which is prohibited under Japanese law, CNN reported.
Asahi Shimbun said Maehara had been credited with making progress in mending Japan's relations with China.
The report described Maehara as a leading pro-America lawmaker in the current government.
