[far-east] japan's new cabinet

Shinzo Abe, 52, has picked pro-growth party heavyweight, Hidenao Nakagawa for secretary general, the party's No. 2 post and de facto campaign manager. Nakagawa has played an important role in the outgoing PM’s economic policies and is behind Abe's stance of "No fiscal reform without growth". A close Abe ally, 62-year-old Nakagawa has said spending cuts must come before tax increases and he stresses the need to foster economic growth. Abe selected Shoichi Nakagawa, known for his tough stance against China and sharing Abe's views on putting patriotism back into classrooms, as its policy chief. Nakagawa, 53, also paid a visit to the Yasukuni Shrine on August 15. Taro Aso, now likely as foreign minister, was set to meet Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo later on Monday amid speculation that Abe could hold a summit with Chinese President Hu Jintao soon after taking office. [Reuters, CNN] All fairly clear – wonder what China thinks.