BREAKING NEWS

Embattled Japan PM picks new foreign minister

TOKYO - Embattled Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan promoted a junior cabinet minister to the top foreign affairs portfolio on Wednesday, handing him a long list of challenges including managing strained ties with neighbouring China.
State Foreign Secretary Takeaki Matsumoto will take over from pro-US security hawk Seiji Maehara, who abruptly quit on Sunday after admitting he had taken about $3,000 in donations from a Korean national.