TOKYO, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Thursday she has offered ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmaker Arata Takebe the post of farm minister to succeed Kazuo Yana, who stepped down a day earlier in what was effectively a dismissal over a string of scandals, Kyodo News reported.
Takebe will be joining the cabinet for the first time.
The 56-year-old is a sixth-term House of Representatives lawmaker for a constituency on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido.
He previously served as senior vice minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries and director of the LDP's Agriculture and Forestry Division, among other posts.
Takebe's father, Tsutomu Takebe, held posts including farm minister and LDP secretary general.
Yana had come under fire for controversies over his past remarks and conduct, including suggesting that road budgets had been sharply cut for two municipalities whose mayors did not support him in the February general election.
It was also reported that he had provided free shuttle bus rides to his supporters during past lower house election campaigns, possibly in violation of the Public Offices Election Act.
Yana submitted his resignation at a meeting with Takaichi on Wednesday night, and the prime minister accepted it.
Analysts said Takaichi chose Takebe, who is well-versed in agricultural policy and administration, in a bid to minimize the impact of Yana's resignation on parliamentary deliberations and the running of her government.
However, Kyodo News said opposition parties are preparing to press Takaichi over her responsibility for appointing Yana, a move expected to weigh on her administration going forward. ■