Outgoing national public safety chief Yamaoka

Outgoing national public safety chief Yamaoka

TOKYO, Japan - Kenji Yamaoka, chairman of the National Public Safety Commission and consumer affairs minister, attends a press conference at the National Police Agency in Tokyo on Jan. 13, 2012. Yamaoka, who was censured in the House of Councillors in December, was replaced by senior vice transport minister Jin Matsubara the same day.

New consumer affairs minister Matsubara

New consumer affairs minister Matsubara

Undated file photo shows senior vice transport minister Jin Matsubara. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda appointed Matsubara on Jan. 13, 2012, as public safety commission chief and consumer affairs minister, succeeding Kenji Yamaoka, who was censured in the House of Councillors in December.

Tecmo to enter merger talks with Koei

Tecmo to enter merger talks with Koei

TOKYO, Japan - Kenji Matsubara (L), president of game maker Koei Co., and Yasuharu Kakihara, president of game software developer Tecmo Ltd., shake hands during a press conference in Tokyo on Sept. 4. They announced that the two companies have agreed to launch merger talks.

Tecmo to enter merger talks with Koei

Tecmo to enter merger talks with Koei

TOKYO, Japan - Kenji Matsubara (L), president of game maker Koei Co., and Yasuharu Kakihara, president of game software developer Tecmo Ltd., shake hands during a press conference in Tokyo on Sept. 4. They announced that the two companies have agreed to launch merger talks. (Kyodo)

Named consumer affairs minister Matsubara

Named consumer affairs minister Matsubara

TOKYO, Japan - Undated file photo shows senior vice transport minister Jin Matsubara. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda announced Matsubara on Jan. 13, 2012, as public safety commission chief and consumer affairs minister, succeeding Kenji Yamaoka, who was censured in the House of Councillors in December. (Kyodo)

Outgoing national public safety chief Yamaoka

Outgoing national public safety chief Yamaoka

TOKYO, Japan - Kenji Yamaoka, chairman of the National Public Safety Commission and consumer affairs minister, attends a press conference at the National Police Agency in Tokyo on Jan. 13, 2012. Yamaoka, who was censured in the House of Councillors in December, was replaced by senior vice transport minister Jin Matsubara the same day. (Kyodo)