AP
Yoriko Kawaguchi

Japanese Prime Minister Yunichiro Koizumi has named Yoriko Kawaguchi the country's new Foreign Minister. Ms. Kawaguchi was previously Environment Minister.

A government spokesman announced the decision early Friday, three days after Mr. Koizumi fired Makiko Tanaka, the country's first female Foreign Minister ever. Lower House lawmaker Hiroshi Oki was named Environment Minister.

Ms. Tanaka and senior officials had been at odds over policy priorities for several months. The former Foreign Minister has also been criticized for quarreling with some of her deputies in public.

Analysts say the bad publicity surrounding Ms. Tanaka had threatened to derail Prime Minister Koizumi's policy plans. However, officials also say Ms. Tanaka's firing has hurt the prime minister's standing among women voters.

Ms. Kawaguchi's nomination as Foreign Minister comes after Sadako Ogata, the former U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, declined the government post. Officials praise Ms. Kawaguchi as an experienced negotiator whose skills will be needed as she becomes Japan's top diplomat.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.

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