日本任命松本刚明为新任外务部大臣

Japan has named a new Foreign Minister, Takeaki Matsumoto, at a challenging time for ties with China and Russia.

在与中国、俄罗斯关系紧张之际，日本任命松本刚明为新任外务部大臣。

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Takeaki Matsumoto, second right, has gained experience as Japan's vice foreign minister
The 51-year old former banker has been the vice foreign minister in Prime Minister Naoto Kan's government, which is struggling to survive.

The country's new leading diplomat² comes from an illustrious（著名的，杰出的） family - he is a great great grandson of Japan's first prime minister.

Mr Matsumoto replaces Seiji Maehara who resigned due to a donations scandal.

Mr Kan's spokesman, Yukio Edano, said Mr Matsumoto had been chosen for his "capability³, knowledge and to ensure continuity of diplomacy⁴".

Japan has in recent days protested against a Chinese overflight of a Japanese ship in the disputed East China Seas.

It was the latest in a series of diplomatic battles over maritime⁵ territory, reflecting growing tension over the region's realignment（改组） of roles as China's economy and armed forces grow.

Japan is also in a territorial⁶ dispute with Russia over the south Kuril Islands.

The resignation of the previous foreign minister, Mr Maehara, was seen as a blow to Prime Minister Kan, who has been struggling to get budget bills through parliament and hold on to his own job.