Noda to appoint Edano as next industry and trade minister

Poor Edano - forever known as "the face of Japans disaster". He deserves the role, he provided a human face to the world during the early days of the disaster and - maybe I have been in Japan too long - isnt he kind of cute, in a nerdy, geeky, I can teach him a few things kind of way??!

OK, so at the very least he looks like the kind of guy I could sit down and have a beer and a good chat with which is more than I can say for most of the cabinet.

Well, Edano will be a step up, I guess. It's still another example of musical chairs, though, and chief cabinet secretary to industry and trade minister? Does he have the relevant qualifications?

Good on him. He deserves that post. I am a bit surprised about his age, he looks much older.

He had a tough job during those early days of the crisis and showed his strengh, I think he will go good and one day could captain/steer the broken ship that is japan.

Edano had a job of presenting the little the government actually knew in March. I do not envy him for that job and I think he did it rather well. I also cannot imagine that he is still pro-nuclear after what he must have been through since March. I can imagine that Edano could be the best to carry on Kan's positive policies, which is why Noda had to remove him from the first choice. Otherwise, no one would see any distinct Noda style in politics, but they would perceive as a continuation of Kan's governement. That's politics everywhere. He's also critical of Ozawa.

Edano is popular with educated, intelligent, internationally thinking young Japanese people. That is a rare feature among J politicians.

Edano is popular with educated, intelligent, internationally thinking people full stop !

I just want to hear his boss say to him, "Book him, Edano."

Yukio Endano should do well ... as long as he stays away from poorly timed off-the-cuff jokes. He was quite impressive in the way he handled himself while trying to explain the nuclear situation in Fukushima Prefecture.

It's quite an ironic pair: Edano - good at lying. Hachiro - bad at telling the truth. Obviously, the people prefer the former.

As far as I could see Edano handled himself really well during the crisis, so perhaps not a bad choice. But I would like to know what his current stance on nuclear really is.

Why didn't Noda pick him the first time around? He was the obvious choice for some sort of Cabinet position.

I think so too Foxie.

Why didn't Noda pick him the first time around? He was the obvious choice for some sort of Cabinet position.

Probably because he was a part of Kan's administration in the first place. New PM's usually like to pick their own cronies before dipping into the pool of those with prior experience or are deserving of recognition and have the ability to do the job.

One thing I think everyone can count on with Edano is that he isn't likely to make any off the cuff gaffs, his lawyer training should help him out a lot. Personally speaking it wouldn't surprise me if eventually some day he gets a shot at being PM himself.

He seemed to have aged at each press conference that was held about the Fukushima crisis.

Damn right this guy shud be IN! He is great at lieing to us all straight in the face day after day like he did for so long, makes him about perfect for the job!!

Edano san is a good man so I would not be surprised if he one day becomes prime minister too!!

Here is a Prime Minister of Japan in the making....he deserves this position better than anyone else.

I do believe Edano is a much better man than his predecessor. By the way, he belongs to the Maehara group called 凌雲会 (ryo un kai).

@Yubaru:

I for one would really love to get the chance to meet one of these young Japanese people. I wonder where they are all hiding.

Those whom I refer to are physics students in Master and PHD courses at Tsukuba university, who have been around quite a few places over the world. I just referred to them because they are the environment here which I can access for hearing (educated) Japanese opinions. I never claimed that I referred to a large group. I can't judge the silent majority's opinion.

He has my support (he'd have my vote, but I'm not allowed to have one!).

I think he has a good work ethic, unlike many politicians. I wish him well.

Edano was not appointed any position because he is anti-Ozawa. Noda wanted to avoid any conflicts among DPJ. And this time, Noda did not have time to care who's pro-Ozawa and who's anti-Ozawa. Noda has chosen simply who's the best for the position. I REALLY hope Ozawa will be quiet about Edano being chosen!!! Gambare Edanon :)

I think he deserves this position. He can behave with aplomb in public. He won't make remarks which could be criticized by other parties.

Well Mr Edano now you have the job, please let us see some realy fast improvements for the evacuees

I dont know much about politics in Japan. But when I heard about new cabinet, I thought he would be one amongst them. I think it is the right thing to do... BTW, he is not too late :)

Note: Lot of positive comments to this post... That says everything... :)

Edano's hard earned reputation in crisis management is one of his assets in handling another challenge -- economic crisis. Again, his experience & skills in this field are to be confirmed.

Wow, he will be good at this with his legal background as a lawyer. He understands when to fight, moderate, , coraborate and communicate.

Edano san is a good man so I would not be surprised if he one day becomes prime minister too!!

one day? you mean about 6 months from now right?

At least one of the politicians who still look friendly although wearing a suit and tie...

Haha Nicky..:-) Cute? Time for an overseas holiday perhaps-).

ha ha, yeah Marcelito, you are probably right!

"You know you have been in Japan too long when....." !

Would still like to buy him a beer though. Bet he would have some good stories to tell under the influence. Maybe Ill send him one with a little congratulatory note. Will be a refreshing change for them up in Nagatacho to get beer in the post instead of bullets!

Better the devil you know.....

@patawan:

"There goes the chance to move away from nuclear power."

Edano sounds different in his first press conference as chief as METI: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110913x3.html. He may have learned the lesson from the accident and do the right things. It is too early to judge - but he doesn't seem to be on a track, which is completely wrong. A nuclear exit strategy is best executed if you prepare it properly. Don't misunderstand me, I have had anti-nuclear conviction throughout all my life, I'd be happy to see Japan quit nuclear power.

But there might be lots of unforeseen difficulties when the nuclear plants are shut down without early preparation and precautions. The entire construction materials will remain radioactive for years. Controlled disposal of undamaged reactors usually takes half a decade or so. And Japan has no whatsoever strategy for long-term disposal. In some ways, a nuclear plant that is properly operated and where safety measures are taken seriously might be a lot less unsafe than one which is halfway towards decommissioning.

edano. bad idea. please dont.

internationally thinking young Japanese people

I for one would really love to get the chance to meet one of these young Japanese people. I wonder where they are all hiding.

Those whom I refer to are physics students in Master and PHD courses at Tsukuba university, who have been around quite a few places over the world. I just referred to them because they are the environment here which I can access for hearing (educated) Japanese opinions. I never claimed that I referred to a large group. I can't judge the silent majority's opinion.

Ok, it sure sounded like you were talking about a large group and not one small sampling from Tsukuba, which is by and of itself an elite, well above the average, University.

Edano is popular with educated, intelligent, internationally thinking young Japanese people. That is a rare feature among J politicians.

Photo says it all

Those whom I refer to are physics students in Master and PHD courses at Tsukuba university, who have been around quite a few places over the world. I just referred to them because they are the environment here which I can access for hearing (educated) Japanese opinions.

I mentioned Edano taking over to two of my very well educated, well travelled, bilingual colleagues and both of their responses were "Oh, crap!" Specifically, "There goes the chance to move away from nuclear power."

He is very good at tricking people into believe that radiation doesn't have any effect on them