Tokyo, Friday. Japan's new Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda today named his first cabinet, as the nation's sixth new leader in five years attempts to unite a divided party and safeguard a fragile post-quake recovery.

He gave the posts of foreign and finance ministers to lawmakers in their 40s, considered young in Japanese politics for such roles. The role of finance minister went to Jun Azumi, 49. Koichiro Gemba, 47, becomes foreign minister.

Azumi, a native of the northeastern prefecture of Miyagi devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, worked as a reporter for NHK before launching his political career. This is his first role as a cabinet minister.He was the ruling party's chief of parliamentary affairs under outgoing leader Naoto Kan, struggling to win cooperation from opposition parties in passing key bills through a divided parliament.

As finance minister, Azumi faces the tough tasks of shielding the economy from a strong yen and addressing a ballooning public debt as the nation's rapidly ageing population increases social security costs.Gemba, the new foreign minister, was state minister in charge of national policy in the outgoing cabinet.

Yoshio Hachiro, 63, was named Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.Noda was elected Japan's prime minister on Tuesday, inheriting the daunting challenges of disaster recovery, a nuclear crisis, a soaring yen and a massive public debt. (AFP)

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