Fukui to take over as Okinawa affairs minister

Fukui to take over as Okinawa affairs minister

Teru Fukui, a lower house member of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, seen in this file photo, is set to succeed Okinawa and Northern Territories affairs minister Tetsuma Esaki after he suffered a minor stroke, government sources said on Feb. 27, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Okinawa affairs minister Esaki to step down

Okinawa affairs minister Esaki to step down

Tetsuma Esaki, Japan's minister in charge of Okinawa and Northern Territories affairs, seen in this file photo, will resign after suffering a minor stroke, government sources said on Feb. 27, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Minister for Okinawa hospitalized again

Minister for Okinawa hospitalized again

Undated file photo shows Tetsuma Esaki, Japan's minister in charge of Okinawa and Northern Territories affairs. Esaki was admitted to a hospital again on Feb. 26, 2018, after being treated the previous week for symptoms of a minor stroke. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

New Okinawa minister defends budget policy as U.S. base battle drags on

New Okinawa minister defends budget policy as U.S. base battle drags on

Tetsuma Esaki, Japan's new minister in charge of Okinawa issues, speaks at a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 3, 2017, after his appointment in a Cabinet reshuffle. Esaki defended the idea that funding from the national budget for the island prefecture's development should be linked to the fate of a key U.S. air base at the center of an ongoing legal fight between the central and prefectural governments. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Cabinet reshuffle amid waning support for PM Abe

Cabinet reshuffle amid waning support for PM Abe

Liberal Democratic Party lower house member Tetsuma Esaki arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 3, 2017, to be named as minister of state for Okinawa and Northern Territories affairs minister in a Cabinet reshuffle. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan opens museum with exhibits related to disputed islets

Japan opens museum with exhibits related to disputed islets

Tetsuma Esaki (L), Japan's minister in charge of territorial issues, tours a newly opened Tokyo museum on Jan. 25, 2018, exhibiting items related to the islands that have been disputed amongst Japan, China and South Korea. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

New Okinawa minister says Japan-U.S. SOFA should be "re-examined"

New Okinawa minister says Japan-U.S. SOFA should be "re-examined"

Tetsuma Esaki, the new minister in charge of issues related to Okinawa, enters the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 8, 2017. Esaki said the same day that the Japan-U.S. status of forces agreement should be "re-examined" in light of the fatal crash off Australia involving an Okinawa-based Marine Corps Osprey aircraft, likely overstepping Tokyo's official line on the politically sensitive pact. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Opposition calls for sacking of new Okinawa minister after gaffe

Opposition calls for sacking of new Okinawa minister after gaffe

Tetsuma Esaki (C), the new minister in charge of issues related to Okinawa, is surrounded by reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2017, after he made a gaffe just two days after being given the post in the latest Cabinet reshuffle. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Cabinet reshuffle amid waning support for PM Abe

Cabinet reshuffle amid waning support for PM Abe

Liberal Democratic Party lower house member Tetsuma Esaki arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 3, 2017, to be named as minister of state for Okinawa and Northern Territories affairs minister in a Cabinet reshuffle. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo